Vegas GM Mccrimmon tests positive for COVID-19
MONTREAL — The Vegas Golden Knights announced shortly before Game 4 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Canadiens on Sunday night at the Bell Centre that their general manager, Kelly Mccrimmon, had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are aware of a positive test result involving Kelly Mccrimmon,” the Golden Knights said in a statement. “Kelly is self-isolating and will follow the protocols and recommendations from health officials and the NHL.”
Mccrimmon attended Game 3 of the series, which the Canadiens won 3-2 in overtime Friday night, in a private loge at the Bell Centre along with George Mcphee, the Golden Knights’ director of hockey operations. Neither of them was wearing a mask.
The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2 after Vegas took Game 4 in overtime by a 2-1 score.
Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme tested positive for COVID-19 before Game 3 and his role behind the bench was filled by assistant coach Luke Richardson. Ducharme remained in isolation at home for Game 4.
The first two games of the series were played in Las Vegas with crowds of more than 17,000 at T-mobile Arena.
Attendance at the Bell Centre has been limited to 3,500 fans by Quebec health officials.
“I feel good,” Ducharme said during a Zoom conference from his home Sunday morning. “I wish I could be at the rink right now. I don’t feel different than a week ago.”
While there were reports Saturday the head coach would have to isolate for 14 days, meaning he would miss the rest of the semifinal series and the start of the Stanley Cup final if the Canadiens get that far, Ducharme said Sunday the team is having discussions with health authorities and that he’s confident he will return before then.
He has no idea how he caught the virus.
“It’s frustrating because I’ve been doing everything that they ask us to do,” Ducharme said. “I never exposed myself (to COVID-19) and I got that bad luck. At the same time, when it happens, it happens. We’re in a situation where everyone is vaccinated twice and that’s going to be two weeks on June 23. So, there are many things that are a little bit different right now. But, yeah, it’s frustrating, for sure. We’ve worked all year to be here. I’ve been waiting for that moment personally for a long time. So, I want to be back as soon as possible.”
Ducharme added that no one close to him has tested positive.
“I don’t see many people,” he said. “My girlfriend, my kids. But I haven’t seen my kids in more than two weeks. Nothing on that side … my girlfriend is not positive. In Vegas, we were not allowed to go outside, not even taking a walk or walking from the rink to the hotel. I respected that. Went from my room to the meal room, to the bus, to the rink. We were allowed to go at the gym that was reserved for us in between certain hours. I went there. So, yeah, it’s frustrating, but that’s the way it is and hopefully I can come back as soon as possible.”
Ducharme has kept in touch with the team, talking with his coaching staff a couple of times a day. He has held Zoom meetings with the players between Games 3 and 4.