In one of the most bizarre and jaw-dropping stories of the year, Washington Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane has been officially banned from all ice hockey activities—but here’s the twist: the decision was handed down by the NBA.
Yes, you read that right.
The National Basketball Association.
The hockey world is in utter disbelief today as news broke that Mangiapane—who has been a key player in the Capitals’ offense this season—was hit with a suspension not by the NHL, but by the NBA, following a positive test for a banned substance during a charity crossover event that involved players from multiple sports.
What Happened?
Sources close to the situation revealed that Mangiapane participated in an offseason charity basketball game hosted by an NBA foundation. All athletes were reportedly subject to standard drug screenings as part of event protocol. Mangiapane’s results came back positive for a substance currently banned by both the NBA and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).
Here’s where it gets weird: though the NHL has not issued any disciplinary action yet, the NBA took an unprecedented step and slapped Mangiapane with a formal ban from all sports events they sponsor or support—which includes several high-profile hockey outreach programs and shared partnerships with leagues like the NHL.
Fallout in D.C.
The Washington Capitals organization released a brief statement:
> “We are aware of the situation regarding Andrew Mangiapane and are currently reviewing the circumstances with the league and the NHLPA. No further comment will be made at this time.”
Fans, however, are anything but quiet.
Social media erupted with confusion and conspiracy theories, with some even speculating if the NBA’s move was part of a brewing turf war between leagues. Others called the decision “a joke” and questioned how the NBA had jurisdiction over a professional hockey player.
What’s Next?
While Mangiapane is not officially suspended by the NHL (yet), the ban from the NBA could affect his public image, endorsements, and international eligibility—especially in events like the Olympics, where anti-doping rules are tightly interwoven across all sports.
If the NHL follows suit, the Capitals may be without one of their top scorers just as the playoff race heats up.
This is a developing story, and one thing is for sure—we’ve never seen anything quite like this.
Stay tuned for updates, because this saga is far from over