Nicklas Backstrom Tests Positive for Banned Substance at 2014 Winter Olympics

Swedish hockey star Nicklas Backstrom reportedly tested positive for a banned substance Sunday at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Rogers Sportsnet hockey writer Chris Johnston was among the first to report the news:

Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post talked to the medical chief of the International Hockey Federation about Backstrom's positive test:

Backstrom later spoke to the media about test and what missing the gold medal game meant to him (via Pierre LeBrun of ESPN and Sheinin)"

According to Larry Lage of The Associated Press (via The Huffington Post), Swedish Olympic Committee spokesman Bjorn Folin said, "Backstrom tested positive for a substance found in an allergy medication that he has taken for seven years."

Backstrom was forced to sit out of Sweden's gold-medal matchup against Canada Sunday in a 3-0 loss. The Swedes certainly missed Backstrom on the ice, and they were already dealing with injuries to Henrik Zetterberg, Henrik Sedin and Johan Franzen. 

According to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski, sources close to the situation say Backstrom was tested Friday and was told he came back positive Sunday prior to Sweden's warm-up. 

Because Backstrom has taken this substance for so long prior to this situation, it's likely that his positive test was the result of an accident or him simply not knowing what substances are banned by the International Olympic Committee.

As for any implications with the NHL, it seems unlikely that Backstrom will face any punishment from the league (via Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington):

As a result, it remains to be seen what impact the positive test will have moving forward. With the Olympics concluding Sunday, the 26-year-old center will soon be turning his attention back to the NHL and the Washington Capitals.