Coronavirus and the NHL: Tracking how the pandemic has impacted hockey

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the suspensions of most sports activities in North America.

After the NBA suspended its season Wednesday evening, the NHL was certainly one of many leagues to observe go well with on March 12 asserting it could be pausing the season.

Here is a timeline of occasions of how the coronavirus has impacted the league.

(All instances Jap)

March 28

1:16 p.m. — The Colorado Avalanche introduced that a second unnamed player has tested positive for the coronavirus and he is at present in self-isolation.

“All different Avalanche gamers, employees and others who may need had shut contact with the participant and have been knowledgeable and stay remoted per prior League path and are monitoring their well being and might be in contact with Membership medical employees as obligatory,” the group assertion stated. “No different Avalanche gamers or employees members have proven signs presently.” 

March 27

9:20 p.m. — Ottawa radio analyst Gord Wilson, a longtime commentator for Senators video games on TSN 1200, confirms his optimistic check for COVID-19. Wilson self-isolated from his household after coming back from the Senators’ California highway journey March 12.

“It’s hit me onerous sufficient,” Wilson told the Ottawa Sun. “I haven’t felt good for 2 weeks. The worst was final weekend. So I’m hitting every week right here not less than with shortness of breath and feeling torpid. I stroll up a flight of steps right here and I’m out of breath.

“The largest factor is the shortage of style and odor. I’m down about eight or 9 kilos. I’m not consuming as a lot.”

5:30 p.m. — The St. Louis Blues introduced that Fox Sports activities Midwest broadcaster John Kelly has tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The St. Louis Blues are confirming that play-by-play announcer John Kelly has examined optimistic for the COVID-19 virus,” the group stated in an announcement. “John (Kelly) has been in self-quarantine since March 13. We’re thrilled to report that John is feeling sturdy and symptom-free.”

Kelly was interviewed by Blues broadcaster Chris Kerber detailing his expertise and restoration. After getting examined for the coronavirus, Kelly stated he was initially identified with pneumonia and acquired “very sick.” He stated he has turned a nook this week and plans to stay in self-quarantine for an additional week.

March 26

four:39 p.m.  — The Colorado Avalanche introduced that an unnamed player has tested positive for COVID-19, turning into the third NHL participant to check optimistic.

“The participant has been at dwelling in isolation for the reason that first signs appeared, has recovered and is again to regular,” the assertion stated. “The Avalanche have notified anybody who has had shut contact with the athlete.”

March 25

5:06 p.m. — The NHL introduced on Wednesday that the scouting mix, the NHL Awards and the NHL Draft have been all being postponed.

The three occasions have been all scheduled to happen in June, with the scouting mix initially set for June 1-6, the NHL Awards set for June 18 and the NHL Draft set for June 26-27. There’s been no phrase but as to when the occasions might be rescheduled. 

March 24

5:18 p.m. — In response to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the NHL informed all common managers that the self-quarantine interval might be prolonged for 10 extra days. March 27 was the unique finish date for groups to self-quarantine.

March 21

1:27 p.m. — The Ottawa Senators introduced that a second unnamed player has tested positive for COVID-19. The group stated that the participant was part of the group’s most up-to-date California highway journey.

Of the 52 individuals who traveled with the group, 44 have proven no signs with eight examined for COVID-19. Ottawa says they’re nonetheless awaiting check outcomes performed March 18-20.

MORE: Two unnamed Senators players test positive for coronavirus

March 17

11:54 p.m. — The Ottawa Senators introduced that an unnamed player has tested positive for COVID-19. It is the NHL’s first optimistic participant check.

“The participant has had delicate signs and is in isolation,” the group’s press launch stated.

March 16

5:00 p.m. — The AHL introduced Monday that it might be suspending the season till not less than Might.

1:22 p.m. — The NHL introduced on Monday that it was issuing a brand new directive to gamers. 

Gamers are free to return dwelling to any nation however are required to self-quarantine till not less than March 27. After that date, a call might be made on whether or not to permit groups to re-open their amenities. The league additionally talked about a possible coaching camp interval within the weeks main as much as the resumption of the season.

Contained in the 1919 Stanley Cup Remaining: The year a pandemic ended the NHL season

March 13

6:37 p.m. — John Wawrow of The Related Press provides that the memo outlines a two-phase plan for gamers to return to group amenities and on-ice classes.

6:08 p.m. — Los Angeles Occasions columnist Helene Elliott studies that in a memo despatched by the NHL to gamers, they’re being requested to self-quarantine for six days.

1:25 p.m. — In an interview with Sportsnet 590 The Fan, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discusses the timeline of conversations he is had concerning potential contingencies. Bettman stated he was exploring whether or not or not there could be a degree during which the NHL season must be shut down.

“In all of these eventualities, and in each dialogue I might have, both internally or with golf equipment, significantly homeowners, I all the time ended with the caveat, ‘You perceive that if a participant checks optimistic we’re accomplished in the meanwhile not less than,'” he stated.

The commissioner added tha as quickly he heard the NBA was suspending its season after a participant was examined optimistic for COVID-19, it was inevitable that an NHL participant would check optimistic.

MORE: Gary Bettman on when NHL will return from coronavirus shutdown

“It was at this level I stated, ‘Okay, we acquired to take a pause.’ I instantly made preparations for a convention name with the governors for the following day,” Bettman stated. “There was little doubt in my thoughts as to the place we have been going to be, however there was no motive for me to, at that second, say we’re taking a pause.

“The second the decision was over, we issued the discharge and stated we have been going to cease taking part in for a bit.” 

11:47 a.m. — According to The News & Observer’s Luke DeCock, Carolina Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund is amongst two staffers who’re in self-quarantine after he was informed he stayed in the identical Detroit resort room as Utah Jazz participant Rudy Gobert, who examined optimistic for the coronavirus on March 11. 

Forslund was remoted within the entrance of the group airplane on their flight dwelling to New Jersey and can now quarantine within the basement of his home for the following 10 days to see if he develops any signs.

“It is severe,” Forslund informed the paper. “We have got to take heed to what we’re purported to do and act accordingly.”

March 12

11:04 p.m. — The San Jose Sharks release a statement saying that a part-time worker working at SAP Heart examined optimistic for the coronavirus. In response to the group, the individual is beneath self-quarantine and receiving care from medical professionals. The worker final labored through the Sharks’ sport in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March three.

7:52 p.m. — In an interview with CNBC, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says there have been no reported instances at this level. Bettman determined to droop the season as soon as the Utah Jazz gamers examined optimistic for the coronavirus. He opted to take further precautions contemplating NHL groups usually share locker rooms with NBA groups.

“When the NBA had a optimistic check they usually needed to cancel a sport at that second, I made a decision to get forward of it and never anticipate certainly one of our gamers to check optimistic,” Bettman stated.

He added that he hopes to renew the season and crown a Stanley Cup champion this 12 months as soon as it is secure.

four:00 p.m. — The AHL broadcasts they are going to be suspending play.

2:59 p.m. — In response to The Athletic, the Tampa Bay Lightning launch an announcement about utilizing the identical locker room because the Utah Jazz once they have been in Boston. The group says that the locker room was cleaned and sanitized earlier than their arrival and that nobody in hockey operations has skilled any signs.

1:36 p.m. — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman broadcasts the 2019-20 season will be paused.

9:54 a.m. — NHL tells groups to not conduct morning skates, practices or group conferences.

March 11

10:12 p.m. — After the NBA introduced they have been suspending their season, the NHL broadcasts they may present a further update on March 12.

6:38 p.m. — The San Jose Sharks announce all three March dwelling video games might be closed to most people. This comes after Santa Clara County banned all large gatherings on March 9. Solely dwelling and visiting membership personnel, accredited credential media and broadcast companions, important membership and area employees and NHL officers might be allowed to attend.

MORE: Amid coronavirus pandemic, Blue Jackets, Sharks to play home games without fans

6:00 p.m. — The Columbus Blue Jackets announce remaining dwelling video games might be closed to most people following Ohio governor Mike DeWine’s order prohibiting mass gatherings within the state.