PM Trudeau opens Canadian cities to NHL despite extended travel ban

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn't opposed to a Canadian city serving as a bubble site for the NHL's 24-team model to crown a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion after the coronavirus pandemic forced the league to suspend play on March 12.

When league commissioner Gary Bettman unveiled the format to complete the season in late May, he named Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver as three potential temporary hubs that will house groups of players and other personnel.

Bettman said the league will announce two separate locations later in the resumption process.

As noted by The Canadian Press (h/t CBC), Canada extending its border closure to non-essential travel through July 21 doesn't necessarily remove Canadian cities from contention.

"Three Canadian cities are asking for it," Trudeau said on Tuesday. "Obviously the decision has to be made by the NHL and the cities and the provinces. Canada is open to it as long as it is OK'd by the local health authorities."

Players are allowed to travel between Canada and the U.S.

One significant roadblock preventing Bettman from choosing a Canadian city is a mandate that those entering the country must quarantine for 14 days. Similar travel restrictions and guidelines have affected PGA Tour players and UFC fighters this spring and led to UFC boss Dana White opening the promotion's " Fight Island" location in Abu Dhabi.

Fight Island will hold its first show on July 11.