The NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who are fully vaccinated after the All-Star break in early February, saying coronavirus cases continue to fall across the league.
The league and players’ association announced the protocol changes on Tuesday. The current policy will remain in effect until the All-Star break begins on February 3rd.
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, who is expected to sit behind the Metropolitan Division bench at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, called the change “common sense.”
“The players did everything they could, did all their vaccinations – all the stuff that they can do,” Brind’Amour said. “I don’t know why they would test them if they are asymptomatic to be honest, so I agree with that decision. I think it’s a good one.”
Testing will continue to be performed on asymptomatic individuals if required to cross the US-Canada border. No testing is required at All-Star Weekend, with a negative result required to return to team facilities after the break.
The 90-day “trial leave” for players, coaches and staff recovering from COVID-19 remains in place. New York Islanders forward Matt Martin pointed out that with just over three months before the playoffs, not testing asymptomatic players would be a smart move to prevent rosters from being decimated at that point.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Martin. “Hopefully we can move forward and get back to a normal way of life.”
The NHL and NHLPA also agreed to maintain the five-day isolation period that went into effect Dec. 29, a reduction from 10 after the US Centers for Disease Control updated its virus guidelines. The league and union will review the protocols, including the enhanced rules currently in place, on January 31 as cases continue to fall.
A total of 160 players entered the COVID protocol from December 29th to January 1st. 11 after 208 in the two weeks before the chance. All players on active rosters are vaccinated except for Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi.
So far this season, 104 games have been postponed, including several due to attendance restrictions in Canada. The league is expected to announce a wave of postponed games on Wednesday, including many moving into the two weeks previously set aside for the Olympics, which will be held without NHL players due to schedule disruptions.
Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat and Montreal Canadiens forwards Cole Caufield and Joel Armia went on the record Tuesday. The Canucks are ending a five-game US road trip and there are some concerns Horvat, goaltender Jaroslav Halak and forward Conor Garland will be unable to cross the border for several days.
“I’m not the border officer, so I have no idea how the process works,” Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau said Sunday. “It just seems like with our group it’s one every day. It’s unfortunate.”
– Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
RELATED: It’s Official: The NHL Confirms It Won’t Go to the Beijing Olympics
CoronavirusIce HockeyNHL
