Canadiens place defenseman Corey Schueneman in COVID protocol

Most of the Canadiens went through COVID protocol in late December when the team was at one point down more than 20 players.  However, a handful of them didn’t contract the virus at that time and one of the players who didn’t, defenseman Corey Schueneman, has been placed in COVID protocol, per a team announcement.

The 26-year-old was recently recalled to Montreal to take the place of injured defenseman Ben Chiarot and played a career-high 21:24 in Thursday’s victory over St. Louis while being one of two defenders to see time in overtime.  Schueneman was likely set to be the one going back down to the minors with Chiarot expected to return on Sunday, and this placement will create the roster spot needed to bring the veteran off injured reserve.

Worth noting is that just before being recalled to the Canadiens, Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Laval had a COVID outbreak of their own that has resulted in seven players being added to protocol.  Schueneman will have to miss at least the next five days as a result of the placement, one that could be longer if he’s symptomatic.