7 more Flames players, 3 coaches added to NHL's COVID protocol
NFL reports 94 new positive tests from players from Monday through Wednesday
- Calgary Flames outbreak grows to overall player total of 16
- NFL sees 94 new positive tests between Monday and Wednesday
- Precautionary logistics a stress point with 2 major hockey tournaments approaching
- Boston Bruins star Bergeron enters NHL's COVID-19 protocol
- Nashville Predators add 6 players, head coach Hynes to protocol
An outbreak that has already forced the postponement of three Calgary Flames games worsened Wednesday with the addition of seven more players to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list, bringing the team's overall player total to 16.
Head coach Darryl Sutter, associate coach Kirk Muller and assistant coach Ryan Huska were also in protocol along with seven support staff members, the NHL team said in a Twitter post.
The Flames said the latest player additions included Rasmus Andersson, Byron Froese, Johnny Gaudreau, Erik Gudbranson, Trevor Lewis, Jacob Markstrom and Tyler Pitlick.
The Flames have had four games postponed this week — including two upcoming home dates against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday and Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday — due to the outbreak.
The NHL, in a statement released Wednesday, said the team's training facilities will remained closed until further notice.
WATCH | Will NHLers go to the Olympics?:
It has been a busy week on the COVID-19 front as sports leagues, teams and players grapple with a sharp rise in numbers.
A total of 10 NHL games have already been postponed, including five this week. The NHL and NHL Players' Association met Tuesday night to review COVID-19 protocols.
NFL sees 94 positive player tests
The National Football League (NFL) recorded 94 positive COVID-19 tests from players from Monday through Wednesday evening, a source with knowledge of the testing told Reuters, adding that the number could change as more results come in.
The news comes as leagues across the country scrambled to control outbreaks and the threat of widespread disruptions loomed, with COVID-19 hospitalizations having risen about 40% over the last month in the U.S., according to a Reuters tally.
The NFL faced numerous delays last season due to the pandemic but had enjoyed relative calm this time around, as it approaches the postseason in just a few weeks.
2 major hockey tournaments approaching
The developments come as politicians and health officials consider potential changes to indoor gathering rules as the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to spread.
In addition, two major hockey tournaments are also quickly approaching.
Teams travelling to the Dec. 26-Jan. 5 world under-20 men's hockey championship in Edmonton and Red Deer were due to arrive in Alberta on Wednesday.
Players and team personnel will quarantine for two days upon arrival and must produce two negative tests to get on the ice Saturday. Pre-tournament games start Sunday.
The Feb. 4-20 Winter Olympics in Beijing have also been a talking point across the NHL in recent days.
The International Olympic Committee has said an athlete that tests positive for COVID-19 in China will need to produce two negative results 24 hours apart. If they're unable to do so, the quarantine period could last from 21 days up to five weeks.
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid has called the idea of a potential five-week quarantine at the Games "unsettling."
Oilers coach Dave Tippett was placed in COVID-19 protocol Tuesday night.
Bruins' Bergeron added to protocol
Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron is the latest NHL star to enter the league's COVID-19 protocol, the team announced Wednesday.
More than 130 players have been added to the league's protocol list this season, including two dozen in the last two days.
Bergeron's teammate Brad Marchand was added to the list on Tuesday.
Boston defeated the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Saturday in Calgary.
Predators add 6 players and head coach to protocol
Also Wednesday, the Nashville Predators announced six players and six members of the team's travelling party — including head coach John Hynes — were added to COVID-19 protocol.
Goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok and assistant coaches Dan Lambert and Todd Richards were also added to the list.
Baker Mayfield tests positive for COVID-19
Stefanski's positive test was first announced by the team, which then put Mayfield, starting safety John Johnson III, nickel back Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik McDowell and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The news came a day after the club placed eight players, including top receiver Jarvis Landry and starting offensive linemen Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills Jr., on the COVID-19 list.
Erie Otters have 2 games postponed
Two Erie games — Friday's matchup in Guelph and Saturday's home game against Kitchener — were postponed.
The ECHL announced that three games between the Worcester Railers at Reading Royals games scheduled for this weekend were postponed due to league health and safety protocols.
With files from Reuters and The Associated Press
