The hockey season is approaching, meaning the league and player’s union needed to negotiate the COVID testing protocols once again. The NHL and NHLPA announced the 2022-23 protocols today, which mirror the ones that the league ended last season with.
Mainly, testing will only happen for symptomatic individuals and those crossing a border. If a positive result is returned, players must isolate for five days if asymptomatic, or up to ten days if experiencing symptoms. Symptomatic cases can exit isolation and return to the team as early as day six, if their symptoms are resolving and have tested negative on one of the league’s approved methods.
Unvaccinated players will have the same status; they are unable to cross the border to play, meaning the team is allowed to suspend them without pay for any days missed. However, if an unvaccinated or vaccinated player contracts COVID, it will be deemed a hockey-related injury and they will not forfeit any salary or other compensation.
Ominously, the league does also retain the right to postpone, reschedule, and cancel any games or events during the season if they deem it poses a material risk to players’ health or the health of others.
There is no mention of a COVID taxi squad this time around – hopefully something that is in the past for good.
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