Former Kings, Predators D Karalahti faces drug charges in Finland

HELSINKI, Finland -- Former NHL player Jere Karalahti will go on trial later this month on drug charges.

Karalahti is one of 19 suspects in a widespread case of alleged smuggling and distribution of amphetamines in Finland, officials said. He will face trial in the Vantaa prison court near Helsinki on Jan. 29, the Espoo Regional Court said without announcing the exact charges.

Local media have reported that the 32-year-old Karalahti was linked to a drug smuggling network that imported and distributed drugs in Finland in July.

Karalahti was taken off the ice for police questioning during a practice session last month with his Karpat team.

Karalahti left the NHL before the beginning of the 2002-03 season after being suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He had eight goals and 19 assists in 149 games for the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators between 1999 and 2002.

Karalahti joined Karpat last year after agreeing to follow the club's strict rules on alcohol and drugs, putting him in contention for a return to Finland's national team for the upcoming world championship in Canada. Karalahti was voted an All Star defenseman at the 1998 and '99 world championships.