Key Takeaways:
- More Maple Leafs and Jets enter virus protocol; Raptors sign three replacement players.
- The pre-tournament game between the Czech Republic and Switzerland on Thursday has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.
Hockey Canada announced the cancellation on Twitter but did not specify which team or how many players would be affected by the protocols. Canada will open its tournament against the Czech Republic on Boxing Day at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
On Thursday evening, the Canadians were scheduled to play Russia in a pre-tournament game in Edmonton.
On Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Morgan Rielly and a team team member had been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. At the same time, two Winnipeg Jets and a team team member had also been added to the growing list.
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The Jets announced that forwards Andrew Copp and Kristian Vesalainen and a club’s support staff member had entered the protocol. With these additions, all seven Canadian teams now have players out due to the coronavirus.
After Tuesday night’s lone remaining game, the NHL announced its annual Christmas break 48 hours early.
Four games scheduled for Wednesday and 15 for Thursday have been rescheduled since Dec. 13 due to pandemic-related concerns.
The league is set to outline play on Monday with 14 games, including Toronto at Columbus and Minnesota at Winnipeg. Still, more postponements are possible due to several clubs dealing with multiple COVID-19 cases.
The Toronto Raptors have signed Juwan Morgan and D.J. Wilson to 10-day contracts forwards and guard Tremont Waters. The players join the Raptors via the COVID hardship exception from the NBA G League.
The moves come after the NBA postponed Toronto’s game against Chicago scheduled for Wednesday night due to the Raptors’ inability to field the league-minimum eight players. The Raptors have eight players in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol, including OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Scotty Barnes, and Gary Trent Jr.
Source: CBC News
