The rise in COVID-19 cases in the NHL is not slowing down. On Wednesday morning, the Flames announced that they had enrolled 17 people in the COVID-19 protocol: 7 players, 3 coaches and 7 employees.
Listing these people does not mean that they all tested positive for COVID-19. It can also be close contacts of positive cases.
The seven players are Rasmus Andersson, Byron Froese, Johnny Gaudreau, Erik Gudbranson, Trevor Lewis, Jacob Markstrom and Tyler Pitlick. They are joined by head coach Darryl Sutter, associate coach Kirk Muller and assistant Ryan Huska. The seven employees have not been named.
The Flames had already suspended their activities on Monday after six players were enrolled in the COVID-19 protocol: Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Brad Richardson, Adam Ruzicka, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov.
The team’s activities were then put on hold until Thursday, but everything indicates that Wednesday’s news will extend the suspension.
In Boston, the Bruins put Patrice Bergeron’s name on protocol. On Tuesday, the team also registered forwards Brad Marchand and Craig Smith.
The rise in cases isn’t just affecting the NHL. In the Ontario Junior League (OHL), the Erie Otters have ended their season with 13 positive cases. For now, two games have been postponed.