Ten Canucks return to practice after COVID-19 outbreak

For forward Tanner Pearson, the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak sweeping through the Vancouver Canucks hit home as his teammates’ loved ones began to fall ill.

Players knew there was a risk they’d pick up this virus this season, he said. What they didn’t expect was to see their partners and children get sick.

“That’s when it really, really started to suck,” said Pearson, who has remained off the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list throughout the outbreak.

“I think guys were pretty confident in themselves to get over it, but when it starts hitting wives and kids and pregnant wives, that’s when it really becomes more than hockey. That’s when it scares you a bit.”

Twenty-two Canucks players and four members of the coaching staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 30. One additional player has been deemed a close contact.

The team has said a variant of the virus is involved and genomic sequencing is being done to determine which specific variant.

Eight Canucks games were postponed between March 31 and April 14.

The outbreak has begun to wane in recent days, with defenceman Travis Hamonic being removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list on Monday. Eighteen Canucks players remain on the list.

A player on the protocol list has not necessarily tested positive. Players who are in self-isolation after travelling or who’ve been in close contact with someone who tested positive, for example, are also on the list.

The list does not include team staff or players not on the active roster, including those on the taxi squad.

The league allowed Vancouver to reopen its facilities Monday and general manager Jim Benning said 10 players took advantage of the opportunity to get back on the ice.

“Some guys feel really good and they’re ready to go. Other guys are still feeling some residual effects of the COVID,” he said.

Coach Travis Green is “feeling better every day,” Benning added. “Hopefully he’s ready to go too as we get going.”

The Canucks are set to host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. It will be Vancouver’s first game since March 24.

It’s been even longer since Pearson played. The 28-year-old left-winger has been out of the lineup since injuring his leg in a bout with the Ottawa Senators on March 17.

“I’m excited to hopefully play again soon, to see the guys, not just through a group text or whatnot,” he said.