Avs player third in NHL to test positive for virus

The Colorado Avalanche confirmed Thursday night that one of their players has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The unnamed member of the Avalanche is the third player in the NHL to test positive for the novel coronavirus.

With the NHL schedule on pause since March 12, the Avalanche indicated in a news release they received the result of the positive test Thursday. The Avs also noted that the player has fully recovered from the symptoms and this comes exactly two weeks after the league decided to shut down because of the dangers of COVID-19.

“The Colorado Avalanche were advised (Thursday) that a player has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” the Avs said in the statement. “The player has been at home in isolation since the first symptoms appeared, has recovered and is back to normal. The Avalanche have notified anyone who has had known close contact with the athlete.”

The Avalanche didn’t release the name of the player for privacy reasons. If the players decides to come forward publicly, then that’s up to him. Colorado officials insist anybody who needs to know has been informed.

All players were instructed by the league and the NHL Players’ Association to self-quarantine at home for 14 days in a March 13 email from deputy commissioner Bill Daly. During a conference call with the league’s general managers Tuesday afternoon, that period was extended until the end of the day on April 3 to try to slow down the spread of the disease.

League chief medical officer Willem Meeuwisse told Nhl.com Wednesday that the situation is going to worsen and it’s impossible to predict a timeline of when it will be safe to resume playing.

“It’s difficult to predict where the pandemic is going and what the timeline will be, but we do expect this is going to get worse before it gets better,” Meeuwisse said.

The NHL remains hopeful it will be able to complete the regular season schedule, hold the playoffs and award the Stanley Cup. But the league did postpone the draft set for June 26-27 along with the scouting combine in Buffalo in the first week of June and the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, which were set for June 18.