NHL players are urged to self-isolate
Advice from league to minimize travel, and contact with public during break
Hello out there, we’re off the air.
Hockey Night in Canada was put on hold Saturday night, with the NHL entering unprecedented territory after shutting down indefinitely because of the novel coronavirus outbreak across the world.
Nobody has any idea when the NHL — or any of the other major sports leagues for that matter — will return to action, but it doesn’t sound like it will be any time soon.
In a memo sent to the board of governors, general managers, team presidents and the more than 700 players by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Friday night, the league said it has created an initial roadmap that everybody involved should be following with the concern about the spread of the virus.
After a conference call with the league’s board Thursday afternoon, commissioner Gary Bettman announced the NHL would pause its schedule to make sure nobody is put at risk because of the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. At this point, the league is advising everybody involved to self-isolate and to try to leave home as little as possible during the initial phase of this decision by the league.
“In order to minimize the exposure to COVID-19 for our players, club personnel and other arena personnel who are integral to playing NHL games, we have made the determination to temporarily pause the playing of NHL games until further notice, with the intention that play will resume at a later date,” Daly wrote in the memo that was obtained by the Citizen on Saturday.
According to Daly, players and staff should stay away from the rink until the league has given the clearance for the facilities to reopen for access. Yes, injured players can still go to the rinks for treatment if they must, but even they are being encouraged to speak with medical officials remotely. The memo added that there were no cases of the coronavirus in the league.
The four-page memo outlines where the league currently stands on all issues with the virus.
“We strongly encourage players on all NHL clubs (and club personnel who are in close contact with players on a frequent basis) to follow the principles of ‘self-quarantine’ in their own home over the next week or so (unless you are provided additional instructions before that time), to the extent reasonably possible, as described in more detail below,” Daly added.
“While ‘self-quarantine’ will undoubtedly impose lifestyle limitations and may seem like an overly (precautionary) measure, adherence to these principles for the relatively brief period of time that our medical experts deem important should allow us to be in the best position possible to assess next steps regarding the potential resumption of play.”
Players can leave their NHL cities if they don’t have a primary residence with their family there, but if they do travel they’re being advised to stay away from the public and minimize travel, and must inform the general manager of their departure.
“Remain in your home as much as possible and practicable, and while there, avoid unnecessary interactions with non-family members or roommates,” Daly added.
You can’t tell people what to do, but it appears the league doesn’t want European players returning overseas during this unspecified break.
“For these purposes,” Daly said, “your ‘home’ means your residence in your club’s city, another primary residence in North America where your family is currently living or a residence within reasonable proximity to your club city. (In instances where a player wants to ‘self-quarantine’ in a ‘home’ outside his club’s city, he shall inform his club’s general manager of same.)
“Once ‘home’, you should avoid further travel by airplane, train or other forms of public transportation (taxis, ride-sharing) to the extent reasonably possible.”
During the summer, players normally organize informal skates, either to get ready for training camp or to stay in shape. You would think that might happen here because the players expect the season to resume with a little over three weeks left on the schedule, but the league has made it clear it doesn’t want that to happen for the time being.
“Club skates and practices should not be held, and as stated above, we would recommend that players not organize ‘player skates’ at any public facility or other location during this time,” Daly said. “As noted, we will ensure that players are afforded sufficient time to resume skating and game preparation activities prior to any resumption of play.”
Bettman said in an interview with the league’s website he’s hopeful the season will resume.
“We may have the benefit of time to complete the season and the playoffs in an appropriate manner, and there’s no reason at this point in time to preclude any of our options, even though we don’t know what they are yet,” Bettman told Nhl.com.
The league also noted that players will receive their paycheques regularly.
We may have the benefit of time to complete the season and the playoffs in an appropriate manner …