A source confirmed to Sportsnet’s John Shannon that the NHL is planning a private purchase of a COVID-19 vaccine for all of those who will participate in the 2020-21 season but they would not jump the line to do so.
The first doses of a vaccine are expected to be given as early as Friday.
Source confirms that the NHL is planning the private purchase of a COVID vaccine for all constituents involved in the potential upcoming season.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 10, 2020
The goal is to begin the season on Wednesday, January 13, after finishing some details such as protocols within the next few days. Training camps would open on January 1 except for those that did not participate in the return-to-play format last summer. Those seven teams are slated to open camps on December 28.
The teams will not be in bubbles, so they will be traveling in and out of cities. The MLB and NFL had COVID-19 issues early in their seasons.
For clarification…
The NHL is interested in securing vaccine when and if it’s available for private purchase.
Is it at this point? — no.
The league also is adamant they would not jump the line to do so.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 11, 2020
By Harrison Brown