MOSCOW — The International Ice Hockey Federation said on Friday it had suspended Russian national team player Evgeny Kuznetsov for four years for testing positive for cocaine.

Kuznetsov, 27, plays for the Washington Capitals in North America's National Hockey League (NHL).

"The prohibited substance was found in a doping control which occurred on 26 May at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship," the Federation said in a statement.

A video allegedly showing Kuznetsov sitting next to unidentified lines of white powder was posted online in May. It was not immediately clear whether his positive doping test and the episode are linked.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league would be issuing a statement later on Friday.

The Capitals had no immediate comment, but said it would also release a statement later.

The Russian hockey federation did not reply to a request for comment but said a statement it opposed the use of banned substances.

Kuznetsov scored 21 goals and had 51 assists last season. He won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

The ban will run until June 12, 2023, the IIHF said. — Reuters