The NHL made an announcement to its players on Monday morning, hours after the CDC recommended that all in-person events consisting of 50 people or more should be canceled for the next 8 weeks.
The NHL gave players permission to return home and that on March 28 and the league will consider opening up facilities for small groups of players to begin “voluntary training.” The NHL appears to be targeting Thursday, April 30, as a possible return date for teams to open training camps, “depending on world developments between now and then.”
Update from the NHL regarding player activity and movement during season pause: pic.twitter.com/yeFjII7W49
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 16, 2020
The league’s update comes days after the ECHL, SHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan canceled their seasons.
More from the NHL:
Update from the National Hockey League
Regarding Player Activity and Movement During Season Pause– Effective immediately, players can opt to return home (outside of the Club’s home city, including outside of North America, to the extent flights are available).
– The self-quarantine period should continue within the player’s home through and including Friday, March 27, unless a longer period may be required in accordance with local mandates related to travel. Players should continue to report immediately any symptoms or testing results to club medical staff.
– At the end of the self-quarantine period, and depending on world developments between now and then, consideration will be given to allowing the opening of club facilities to players in scheduled and coordinated small groups for voluntary training and care of the players on the same basis as in the offseason.
– Our objective will be that, in addition to continuing regular updates, we will be able to provide high-level guidance on the potential of opening a training camp period roughly 45 days into the 60-day period covered by the CDC’s directive.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
