NHL suspends season over coronavirus concerns
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The NHL paused its regular season because of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Via a statement released by the league early Thursday afternoon after a teleconference among league owners and commissioner Gary Bettman, the league cited the NBA suspension of its season after at least one its players tested positive for covid-19.
“(G)iven that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point — it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time,” the statement read, in part.
The league indicated it intends to resume its 2019-20 season at some point and award the Stanley Cup.
“Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent,” read the statement, which was released via league’s verified Twitter account and on the NHL’s website.
The @NHL pauses 2019-20 season. https://t.co/WMePei4clH pic.twitter.com/W5Hqmk3kX7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 12, 2020
The full statement reads: “In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019‑20 season beginning with tonight’s games.
“The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures. However, following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus — and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point — it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time.
“We will continue to monitor all the appropriate medical advice, and we will encourage our players and other members of the NHL community to take all reasonable precautions — including by self-quarantine, where appropriate. Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup. Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins were scheduled to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday at Nationwide Arena but returned home after the NHL made it’s announcement.
A statement on the suspension was issued by the the Penguins.
“These are unprecedented times. As you know, the National Hockey League today announced that it would pause the regular season until further notice because of the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19. This follows similar decisions by the NBA and other sports leagues.
“We will remain in contact with the NHL during this period and pass on information to you as it becomes available. We will post all updates on our social media accounts and at www.pittsburghpenguins.com.
“We look forward to seeing you again when the excitement of Penguins hockey returns to PPG Paints Arena. We truly appreciate your support.
“Thank you for your understanding. Be safe.”
A statement regarding the pause of the 2019.20 NHL season: pic.twitter.com/pDF32vbU5r
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 12, 2020
Soon after the league made its announcement, the players’ union, likewise, released a statement.
“The decision to temporarily suspend play due to the covid-19 pandemic is an appropriate course of action at this time,” the NHLPA statement read. “The NHLPA will continue to closely monitor this very dynamic situation and remain in daily discussions with the league, our medical consultants, and our players regarding all aspects of this matter. The players are looking forward to the opportunity to resume play in front of hockey fans everywhere.”
The decision to temporarily suspend play due to the COVID-19 pandemic is an appropriate course of action at this time. pic.twitter.com/ApudNZvurS
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 12, 2020
In addition to the NBA, the NHL joins various U.S. college conferences in stopping play of its spring sports. MLB suspended its spring training soon after the NHL made its announcement.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., was played as scheduled before the remainder of the spring games were canceled.
Following the NHL’s lead, the American Hockey League suspended play indefinitely. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were scheduled to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday in Allentown.
The Penguins had lost eight of their past 11 games to fall into third place in the Metropolitan Division with 13 scheduled games remaining in the regular season.
While no plans have been made, it is possible the NHL will resume by immediately beginning the playoffs. The NHL reportedly asked its teams about their arena availability into July should the season get pushed back a month or more.
The Penguins were staying in a downtown Columbus hotel room while they awaited word of the NHL’s plans. Earlier in the day, the league instructed teams to not hold team meetings or skates.
The most recent disruption in the regular NHL schedule was fall 2012 when a lockout delayed the beginning of the season until January 2013, and a 48-game schedule was played.
In 1919, the Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans was canceled after five games because of what became known colloquially as the Spanish flu.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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