Canadian Football player banned for three years due to HGH.

A first-year running back at the University of Waterloo has received a three-year ban from football after testing positive for human growth hormone.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport says Matt Socholotiuk is the first athlete in North America to be caught using HGH.

The organization says the Waterford, Ont., native also tested positive for testosterone through a urine sample.

His blood sample contained HGH, according to the CCES.

Socholotiuk was initially banned for four years, but an arbitrator ultimately reduced the suspension to three years through to June 4, 2013.

In June, the school suspended its football program from competition for a full season after urine tests revealed nine anti-doping violations.

A total of 82 samples were collected March 31, with 62 being for urine and 20 for blood.