Two promising NHL prospects are facing a significant setback. The AHL recently announced that Rockford IceHogs goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy and Coachella Valley Firebirds forward David Goyette have been handed 20-game suspensions for violating the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substance Program. This marks a first-time offense for both players, and they won't be eligible for NHL recall during their suspensions.
Let's dive into the details. Berezhnoy, a newcomer to North American hockey, joined the Blackhawks on a two-year, entry-level contract last summer.
At 22, he's been the backup goalie for the IceHogs, appearing in 15 games with a 5-9-1 record, a 3.18 GAA, and a .888 save percentage. He had a brief call-up to the NHL in January but didn't see any ice time.
On the other hand, Goyette, in his second year of an entry-level deal, was drafted 61st overall by the Kraken in 2022. Known for his scoring prowess in junior hockey, where he racked up 282 points over 197 games in the OHL, he's struggled to find the same success in the pros.
Last season, he managed 18 points in 54 games with the Firebirds and has only 10 points in 47 appearances this season. Goyette has yet to make his NHL debut.
Both players will be eligible to return just before the playoffs, with Berezhnoy set to come back on April 11th and Goyette a day earlier. With just over a week left in the AHL season at that point, their teams might face a tough decision on whether to reintegrate them into the lineup as they push for playoff positions.