The Kraken will be without the services of one of their top centers for the next little bit as the team announced (Twitter link) that Yanni Gourde has been placed in COVID protocol. His spot on the roster is being taken by Alexander True who was recalled from AHL Charlotte.
Gourde has had a nice start to his first season with Seattle. After recovering quicker than expected from offseason shoulder surgery, he quickly jumped into a permanent spot in the top six. The 29-year-old has six goals and 16 assists in 22 games so far this season, good for third on the team in scoring behind Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle while averaging 18:51 per game, a career-high.
Gourde had become the second Kraken center to enter COVID protocol, joining Colin Blackwell who entered it earlier this week. If subsequent testing reveals a confirmed positive, he’ll have to miss at least the next ten days. However, head coach Dave Hakstol told reporters including Ryan S. Clark of The Athletic (Twitter link) that center Riley Sheahan has also entered the protocol alongside assistant coach Jay Leach. Sheahan has four points in 19 games this season and also cleared waivers last month.
As for True, he was claimed from San Jose in expansion but has yet to see any action with Seattle this season. He has 18 points in 22 games with AHL Charlotte, a split affiliate with Florida and leads the Checkers in scoring.