Coronavirus woes are ebbing as juniors prepare to do battle
Normally, the young hockey players on Team Canada would be looking up standings, point totals and analytics from every corner of the internet and every corner of the world.
Unfortunately, things aren't exactly normal right now, so the only stats they're tracking are COVID-19 test results from inside the world junior hockey bubble in Edmonton.
So they got to exhale a little bit Monday when the IIHF's latest numbers showed no new positive tests among players on the 10 competing teams. The most recent round of testing revealed just one positive result — a staff member with the German team.
Pandemic transmission rates aren't something these kids ever wanted to concern themselves with, especially just a few days before the world junior championship begins, but it's part of the deal they signed up for.
“You're hoping for the best,” defenceman Justin Barron said of the IIHF updates. “We're tested every day before we come to the rink. There are temperature checks. In the meal room, it's only two people per table and only a certain amount of guys allowed to eat at a time.
“It's definitely a change from what we're used to, but it's good to have rules in place so we can stay healthy and the tournament is able to run smoothly.”
The precautions are strict and state of the art. Players received contact-tracing wristbands when they arrived and now have contact-tracing technology built into their credentials, which must be worn at all times.
“That's completely OK with me,” said defenceman Braden Schneider. “It's something you have to do. We're fortunate enough to play hockey, so if that's something we have to do to play, it's very easy. It's a mandatory thing to make sure we're all safe.”
Things got off to a rocky start with the whole Canadian team having to quarantine for two weeks in Red Deer after a pair of positive tests, followed by five more players ruled unfit to play when they emerged from the quarantine.
And when eight German players and a handful of Swedish coaches tested positive, the tournament itself looked to be in jeopardy, but things seem to have calmed down. Given the measures in place inside the Edmonton bubble, the Canadians feel safe and are confident the worst is over.
“One hundred per cent,” said Barron. “I felt safe throughout the whole process. We've been extra careful. It's just about keeping those good habits of washing your hands, wearing your masks and social distancing. We should be good as long as we keep doing those things.
“Everyone is doing it nowadays, it's kind of the standard.”
ONE MORE SLEEP
Never mind Christmas. The Canadians are counting down the hours till they finally get to play a game. After having every single one of their pre-tournament tune-up games wiped out by COVID-19, they finally get to face off against the Russians on Wednesday.
It might be the most anticipated exhibition game in hockey history.
“A lot of these kids haven't played a competitive hockey game since March,” said assistant coach Mitch Love. “I can tell you right now our guys are champing at the bit to get out on the ice and be competitive against someone other than their own teammates. Once we get on the ice it will be interesting to see.”
The players are practically vibrating at the thought of seeing an opponent.
“It almost doesn't seem real,” said Schneider, who doesn't want to jinx it.
“It won't feel real till we get out there and see the other team's jersey. I'm excited and I know everyone else in our room is excited and I'm sure everyone watching will be excited. I can't wait for it to happen.”
KEEPING A SECRET
Everyone is anxious to know who Team Canada's starting netminder will be out of Devon Levi, Taylor Gauthier and Dylan Garand, but head coach Andre Tourigny isn't announcing anything until he has to.