Nov 26: The camp has been shut down for two weeks after it was determined that all players, coaches, and staff were considered close contacts to the positive tests. Under Alberta health guidelines, they must now undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
Nov 24: After it broke that both the Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus Blue Jackets have had multiple players test positive for COVID-19 in recent days, more coronavirus news has hit the wire. Hockey Canada’s World Junior selection camp has suspended activities, including the postponement of an intrasquad game that was scheduled for today after two players tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today. Scott Salmond, senior VP of the national team, released this statement:
Hockey Canada confirmed earlier today that two players at Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp have tested positive for COVID-19, and have been placed in quarantine at the team hotel in Red Deer.
Upon learning of the positive test this morning, the decision was made to postpone the Red-White game scheduled for this morning at the Westerner Park Centrium, and to suspend all camp activities for today. As per Hockey Canada’s safety protocols, all players, coaches and staff members took mandatory COVID-19 tests upon arrival at camp and have continued to be tested regularly throughout the past ten days. For precautionary reasons, we will also ensure that all players and team personnel go through an additional test before resuming camp activities. The appropriate local and provincial health authorities have been made aware of the situation, and we will continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services. We will have no further comment at this time.
Though the actual tournament will be played inside a bubble, the selection camp does not have the same protocols. The group is just a week into their month-long preparation for the event, which was designed to give Canadian juniors a chance to get back on the ice while the WHL and OHL wait for their seasons to start.
The identities of the players that tested positive have not been, nor will likely be, announced.
I going out on a limb here and say if cases continue to rise in Canada and the rest of the world then I will say the world Jr. Tournament will not happen there is way much covid in these Jr. leagues already… I don’t think the NHL will start on time either…
What leagues. Only the QMJHL has played. The NHL bubble had zero. So just what are you talking about?
What I am stating if these leagues are not playing then why in the hell is only one is and furthermore why are they going to play a tournament that teams comes from all over the globe then even in a bubble then after send these players back to their clubs… And by the way the latest news are nhl clubs are popping up with even more cases…. So bottom line cancel these tournaments and league until there is a handle on things… Just what I am talking about…
Well, Gavin, it’s a helluva deal to have to start Thanksgiving with a COVID-kick-in-the-slats, eh? Hopefully, that’s the end of the bad news for the day. Stay safe!
You too Mac. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Mac & Gavin ! Don’t eat all the turkey