The NHL revised a COVID-19 protocol on access to the arena just a day after it was established, after strong protests from players.
On Wednesday night, the NHL sent a memo to all of its teams and COVID-19 compliance officers detailing a handful of new security protocols. The additional measures came during a week in which New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabers, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche postponed several games due to outbreaks of players and at least one head coach.
In the memo, the NHL established a new policy for player access to the arena on game night. The protocol stated that players “were not allowed to reach the playing arena more than 1 hour and 45 minutes before the disc fell”, unless it was for the treatment of injuries. The reasoning was that the restricted entry time “would minimize the time period for possible exposure and transmission of COVID-19 while players are gathered in the arena.”
On Thursday afternoon, the NHL revised that policy. The new language says “players and coaches are being advised, whenever possible, to reach the game arena no later than 1 hour and 45 minutes before the disc is released, except to receive the necessary treatment or to get involved in preparations before the game. “Essentially, politics went from being a mandate to becoming a suggestion.
The change came after NHL players expressed concerns, publicly and behind the scenes, about restricted access to the arena.
“There are certain protocols that seem irrefutable. But for this particular one, it becomes a struggle,” an NHL veteran told ESPN. “It is also about the health of the player on the ice: if we are not able to prepare for a game as we prepare regularly, we risk injury. Especially in a more condensed season.”
Andrew Copp of Winnipeg Jets said players “would be fighting [the rule] for sure “when expressing your personal unhappiness with him.
“Some of the protocols obviously in place – like virtual meetings, the guys spreading out in the room – I really understand that part,” said Copp. “But not being allowed in the facility until an hour and 45 [minutes]? I mean, we have guys who show up here before 4 o’clock for the 7 o’clock games. This is practically the only place we can go. We are not going to each other’s house. We don’t go to restaurants. We are practically doing nothing. The only place where we create a safe space is the dressing room and the rink. I don’t see the difference between a 5:15 and 4:15 entry. “
Other players seemed more receptive to the rule, including Alex Tuch, who is the NHLPA representative for the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Obviously, it’s a little different than what we used to do before the games,” said Tuch, whose technical team and defender Alex Pietrangelo participated in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols this week. “The NHL is working tirelessly to try to prevent COVID from spreading as far as possible. Our team is willing to comply with any protocol and we will continue to do so as long as the league deems necessary. We know firsthand what you can do. “
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said the NHL’s concerns about the arena are understandable.
“The problem with ice hockey is that we play on a track where the humidity is dry and the air is cold. My understanding, in the research I did, is that it potentially lets the virus sit right there in the air. it doesn’t dissipate, “he said.” So, we’re in that situation. We have to do the best we can. The fact that the games are being postponed is unfortunate. But from our perspective, we have to do the best we can with the protocols in place. “
The other newly established COVID-19 protocols for the NHL included the removal of the glass shield behind the seats for better air circulation, game day meetings being conducted virtually, the potential deployment of air filtration units around the seats of players and an order for teams to present plans for their locker rooms at home and away from home that place at least 6 feet between players in their stalls.
“Our priority has been and will continue to be to act conservatively with great caution, understanding that there are many things about the transmission of COVID-19 that are still being discovered,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “As a result, we will not hesitate to take additional steps as indicated by what we are learning and as directed by our medical consultants.”
The NHL had about 100 players on its “COVID-related Absences” list this season, for everything from positive tests to mandatory travel quarantines. He has already postponed 22 games so far in the 2021 campaign.
Sources told ESPN that there was a renewed effort to make the COVID-19 rapid test accompany the daily PCR test. The NBA is using rapid tests before the launch of each game. While some NHL arenas have a quick test for those entering the building, the players’ daily quick test was used only “when deemed useful or necessary”, according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. This includes when a team returns from a series of deferred games.
According to sources, the biggest concern with the generalized rapid tests in the NHL is not so much about the cost, but about finding the stock of tests needed to perform this task on a daily basis.