Emelin's medical issues take strange twist as prohibited substances reportedly found in his system

Alexei Emelin, a former NHLer and current co-captain of the KHL's Avangard Omsk, is having his name plastered all over every major sports and news website across Russia. Emelin, who had been taking part in the KHL playoffs, went to hospital early Tuesday morning with a high fever. It was later determined he was suffering from toxic liver shock, and then liver failure which would require an organ transplant. Now, the case has taken yet another twist.

According to several reports, Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs has received samples of Emelin's blood that have tested positive for prohibited substances. The Ministry won't say what, but Russia's Business Online is quoting sources as saying the drugs are "opiates and cannabinoids", both of which are banned in that country.

"According to the results of medical tests, traces of drugs were found on the captain of HC Avangard, Alexei Emelin. The materials were transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. At present, a check is being carried out," said Internal Affairs in a statement.

Emelin's team is denying everything, not just the drugs, but the liver transplant as well.

"At the moment, the club does not have any information confirming the presence of narcotic or any other prohibited substances in the body of Alexei Emelin," said Avangard in a statement. "In the same way, we are surprised to see in the media the headlines that Alexei is supposedly going to have a liver transplant operation. We have not received any documents in this regard. We consider this information a provocation aimed at destabilizing the situation in the team before the most important game."

Avangard is set to take on Ak-Bars in game three of the Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday with Omsk leading two games to none. The winner of the series will move on to the Gagarin Cup final. Emelin played in the first game of the conference final.

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