Ohlund positive in Olympic drug test

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund tested positive for a substance banned by the International Olympic Committee in pre-testing for the Winter Games, it was announced Friday.

A member of the Swedish Olympic team, the 25-year-old Ohlund was given the drug Diamox, which contained the banned substance acetazolamide, by his doctor following eye surgery on Dec. 3.

The NHL Players Association said Ohlund voluntarily submitted his sample for Olympic doping control on Dec. 11 and was unaware the medication he received contained a banned substance.

"I'm hopeful everything will be OK and that I'll be able to play in the Olympics," Ohlund said in a statement. "I've been told I shouldn't really comment any further until the matter is cleared up."

The matter is being reviewed by the International Hockey Federation and a hearing will be scheduled. Sweden general manager Anders Hedberg said he was confident Ohlund will be able to play in the Salt Lake City Games next month.

"Mattias Ohlund can sleep well," Hedberg said. "He hasn't done anything intentionally. Mattias will be in the Olympics."

"As an organization we have nothing but full support for Mattias Ohlund," Canucks general manager Brian Burke said. "We are confident that this situation will be fully resolved well before the Olympic Games next month."