'NON-ISSUE' WITH WHL, REBELS -- SUTTER

The use of illegal drugs is a non-issue with his club and the entire
Western Hockey League, Red Deer Rebels GM/coach Brent Sutter said Tuesday.

"I haven't seen or heard of that happening with our team or within the
league as a whole," said Sutter, reacting to a report by the Montreal La
Presse that claims 40 per cent of the players in the Quebec Major League
frequently use stimulants, sedatives or marijuana to prepare for games or
to relax during long bus trips. "It doesn't happen out here," said Sutter.
"I haven't heard of a single case and look at how much time we spend on the
bus."

The Rebels boss has no problem with players taking cold medications to
remedy illness, and in that vein said the league will have to be careful
with how any prospective drug-testing program - QMJHL president Gilles
Courteau told the Canadian Press that all three major junior leagues hope
to have one in place in the new year - is utilized.

"During my final season in the NHL (1997-98 with the Chicago Blackhawks)
guys like (Chris) Chelios and (Jeremy) Roenick weren't allowed to take
anything for colds because they were going to compete in the (1998)
Olympics," said Sutter.

"They walked around sick for months while everyone else was taking cold
medicine.

"It was ridiculous."

The Rebels boss wouldn't be opposed to testing for the likes of cocaine,
marijuana and alcohol, but would prefer the league not adhere to an
Olympic-style procedure where even the use of a cold remedy can result in
suspension.

Meanwhile, Kamloops Blazers coach Dean Clark told the Kamloops Daily News
he's never encountered illegal drugs during his time in the league.

"Of the three teams I've been involved with, I know there was nothing going
on," said Clark, who has also served as head coach of the Calgary Hitmen
and Brandon Wheat Kings.

Blazers forward Grant Jacobsen told the Daily News that some of the
Kamloops players used Sudafed and Nyquil before and after at least one
playoff game with the Kootenay Ice last spring. The series stretched over
six games, one of which went into a fourth overtime period and another that
went into a third extra frame.

"Definitely come the fourth overtime period in the playoffs . . . the first
(two) games there wasn't but I think some guys came prepared knowing there
was going to be a battle as far as keeping their energy levels up," said
Jacobsen. "But there was nothing illegal and nothing performance-enhancing."

Western Hockey League commissioner Ron Robison told the Kelowna Daily
Courier that the use of illicit compounds is not a problem with member teams.

"But it's something we're monitoring closely to determine if there's any
use beyond medical purposes. For now it doesn't appear to be a concern."

Robison, like Sutter, said the formation of a drug-testing program has been
discussed by the league's GMs and governors.

"There's a policy now which is rather broad in dealing with the matter," he
said. "We also have a committee that's really studying this matter and the
impact drugs have on athletes."