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The National Hockey League (NHL), in conjunction with the NHL players association announced on Saturday that teams would not be disclosing information regarding player injuries or illnesses during the 2020 playoffs.
The agreement helps protect a player’s medical privacy by making it unknown for the reason for missing a game.
STATEMENT
Given the unique circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, effective with the start of Phase 3 (Monday, July 13) and, including the entirety of the Phase 4 Return to Play, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have mutually agreed that Clubs are not permitted to disclose Player injury and/or illness information. This policy was adopted out of respect for an individual Player’s right to medical privacy. The League will continue to announce, on a regular basis through Phase 3 and Phase 4, positive Players test results for COVID-19 while not release individual Player or Team identities.
In place of club announcements, the NHL said that it “will continue to announce, on a regular basis throughout Phase 3 and Phase 4, positive Player test results for COVID-19 while not releasing individual Player or Team identities.”
Teams are scheduled to report to training camp on Monday, and their respective hub destinations July 26, with qualifying-round games slated to begin Aug. 1. The Capitals open against the Tampa Bay Lightning on August 3.
By Jon Sorensen
