Zaripov has been ruled out of action until May 22, 2019 by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after submitting a sample containing a "category S6.b stimulant" plus "category S5 diuretics and masking agents".

The 36-year-old was a member of victorious Russian teams at the 2008, 2009 and 2014 World Championships and also featured at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

He managed 16 goals and 29 assists in 56 games for KHL runners-up Metallurg Magnitogorsk last season.

"I'm shocked," Zaripov told Reuters after news broke of his failure, before confirming he would appeal the decision.

"There's nothing else to say."

It is not yet clear why he has been awarded a two-year suspension rather than the mandatory four-year sentence outlined in the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code.

Canadian Derek Smith and Russia's Andrei Konev were also suspended for using banned stimulants, the KHL said.

Konev will only be banned until November 19 this year while Smith will be ruled out until September 2, 2018.

It came as the world's second largest league claimed that 377 doping tests conducted last season were administered in conjunction with the IIHF and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Russia is still seeking to prove its improved doping system as the Russian Anti-Doping Agency remains suspended following the McLaren Report revelations about a state-sponsored drugs testing system in the country.

Recently introduced measures include a clampdown on funding athletes implicated in doping cases.

"All those who violate [anti-doping regulations] must be punished, regardless of their names and titles," Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov was quoted as saying by R-Sport.