Former NHL player and enforcer Georges Laraque claims in a new book that steroid use in the NHL was commonplace.

According to Laraque's new book, "The Story of the NHL's Unlikeliest Tough Guy", enforcers in the NHL routinely took steroids to help them gain weight before reaching the pros and took different substances, such as Ephedrine, so they would be desenstized before a fight. Laraque did not name any players in his book.

The NHL and NHL Player's Association have not yet responded to Laraque's claims.

Laraque started his career in 1997 with the Edmonton Oilers and later played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens. He has amassed 1,126 penalty minutes and has 153 career points.

Laraque is now a deputy leader for Canada's Green Party, a position he has held since July 2010.