When the NHL revealed its 2021-22 COVID Protocol yesterday, there were a number of exceptions written in. One such exception was that players with a medical or religious reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine would not be subject to the suspensions that other unvaccinated players would be. The protocol for staff was written much stricter, stating that anyone in direct contact with players or other hockey operations personnel had to be fully vaccination. However, it seemed reasonable that these medical and religious exceptions for players would also be considered for staff.
Well, that does not appear to be the case. The San Jose Sharks have announced that assistant coach Rocky Thompson will not return to the bench this season. The reason? A medical condition prevents him from receiving the COVID vaccination and the league has not extended any flexibility for that situation. In Thompson’s own words:
Due to a medical exemption that prevents me from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, under the new League protocols, I am not permitted to fulfill my duties on the Sharks coaching staff at this time. I will have no further comment on this matter.
While its fair for the NHL to do all they can to protect the integrity of the upcoming season as best they can with the threat of COVID still relevant, this may be a step too far. The league has outlined a number of strict conditions for unvaccinated players in terms of travel, testing, and more, yet were not willing to use those same policies to mitigate the risk of an unvaccinated assistant coach who has a legitimate medical cause.
The Sharks included in their release that they will be announcing a replacement for Thompson soon. As for Thompson, after just one season in San Jose he could be looking for work elsewhere, as there is no word as to whether Thompson will re-joining Bob Boughner’s staff after this season. 2020-21 had only been Thompson’s second season in the NHL, so the young coach still has plenty of contacts in the AHL and Canadian junior ranks that he could turn to this season and beyond.
“…this may be a step too far.” Yep, that pretty much sums it up, @Zach. The league just suspended a coach for…nothing…
So clearly it’s not a real medical reason and just a “I don’t believe in vaccines” medical reason.
Where do you get that?
@manos – “Due to a medical exemption that prevents me from taking the COVID-19 vaccine…” That says legit medical reason, not the excuse of a small child who is afraid of getting poked. There are a myriad of reasons that this cure (vaccine) could be worse than the disease.
Dude I hate being a grown man small child who’s scared of getting poked, every time I’m forced to get tattoos I can’t watch, it’s unsafe and scary
Because if it was a real medical reason he’d have a legitimate human rights complaint – that he’s not choosing that route speaks volumes
Or maybe hes just fine with getting a job elswhere and not choosing “i’m gonna brag about my human rights and get nuthin” route?
So sorry that Mr. Thompson didn’t feel compelled to reveal his reasoning to Down with OBP. I know for most of us that’s the first thing we think to do.
If Coach Thompson is looking at a possible legal action against the league, he’ll be revealing as little info as possible to the public. That’s the smart thing to do.
Do you just believe that people don’t have medical conditions?
It is early into this situation to hit the panic button. With enough such situations, there is a good chance Staff, or some Staff might get exemption status as players do.
With his serious medical condition that won’t even allow him to receive a vaccine – something that even school age children receive before beginning classes – I’m glad that he’s been relieved of his place in the league. With his frailty, he doesn’t need to stress himself anymore. Medically frail people like this who can’t even get a vaccine don’t need the stress of sports. Agree with his stepping aside. Glad that something like this revealed his disability early before he was able to do any harm to himself.
This ignorance of this comment doesn’t even deserve a response.
Not cool, dude.
Age that children first receive their vaccines:
1-2 months old.
4 months.
6 months.
4-6 years.
Congratulations, you have less courage than a 6 year old. Get out of hockey.
Congrats, you’re an idiot.
People say the dumbest things
And all of those inoculations have decades of trials and testing. This so-called vax has none of that. But besides that, great analogy.
I fully support a private organization’s ability to police the vaccination status of their employees or customers, based upon the Colorado wedding cake and NFL player hiring precedents (reap, sow) IF AND WHEN that person can be vaccinated but chooses not to do so.
Demanding that someone who cannot be vaccinated be vaccinated….?
The reason we need (most) everyone to get vaccinated is to protect people like Rocky Thompson and those like him who cannot be vaccinated or whose immune system’s can’t respond to vaccines.
So, when people say things like “why do you care if I’m not vaccinated?” or “it’s nobodies business…” or whatever, the real world effect of what they are saying is “I don’t care if people like Rocky Thompson live or not.”
Dear Lord.
You have the disaster of the example of Israel, the most highly vaccinated nation on earth, and yet you continue to say dumb things like this. Invincible ignorance.
There is no reason for anyone with antibodies and T-cell immunity to get this vaccine. Only people with weakened immunities should even consider getting it due to the risk/benefit factor.
Ironic. The people eating horse paste want to project the label of “invincible ignorance” upon others.
The “disaster of Israel” is averaging 28 deaths per day, while Florida alone has averaged 325 deaths per day.
Population of Florida: 21.5 million
Population of Israel: 8.8 million
As I said, invinsible ignorance.
As for “horse paste”, Ivermectin taken in doctor prescribed doses has helped many people. In fact, it won a Noble Prize in Medicine in 2015. You probably didn’t know that.
link to britannica.com
We should build special camps for people like him and get them vaxxed there so antivax harassers are finally at peace. Just look at them virtuous whinos crawl out of their caves like worms after a rain.
We should put antivax idiots like you in a camp so we don’t have to be exposed to your stupidity and careless attitude about others
The guy who had a meltdown over a code of conduct suspension is also antivax? Color me shocked
The guy who loves to show how virtuous he is and how he cares about other people also loves sending people to camps? Color me shocked
That is f’ed up. If he has a medical exemption he should be allowed to be on the bench, these are not the type of people who should be impacted by the mandates.
Your view is warped
Lmao there’s no way that upset you the other day. Holy man that’s unbelievable lol.
Yea… this one makes zero sense.