Evgeny Kuznetsov is still eligible for his club side ©IIHF

Russian ice hockey player Evgeny Kuznetsov has been given a four-year doping ban after testing positive for cocaine during this year's International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship.

In a statement, the IIHF confirmed the 27-year-old had failed a test on May 26, the day Russia beat the Czech Republic to win the bronze medal at the World Championship in Slovakia.

Kuznetsov, who plays for National Hockey League (NHL) team the Washington Capitals, has been ruled out of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as he will not be able to return to the sport at international level until June 2023.

"The player didn’t require the analysis of his B-sample and was provisionally suspended on June 13, 2019," the IIHF said.

"The period of ineligibility to be imposed shall be four years, concluding on June 12, 2023."

Evgeny Kuznetsov, left, tested positive after helping Russia beat Czech Republic in the bronze medal match at the World Championship in Slovakia ©Getty Images
Evgeny Kuznetsov, left, tested positive after helping Russia beat Czech Republic in the bronze medal match at the World Championship in Slovakia ©Getty Images

Kuznetsov, a member of the Stanley Cup-winning side last year, remains eligible to play for his club team as he has not been suspended by the NHL.

In May, video footage emerged on social media which appeared to show the Russian player near to a table with white powder on it.

The NHL and the Washington Capitals investigated but opted not to punish Kuznetsov after they accepted his explanation.

Kuznetsov, a member of the Russian team at five World Championships since 2012, claimed he had "never taken illegal drugs in his life".

He was not part of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team which claimed gold at last year's Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.