The NHL has not yet suspended operations for the 2019-20 season Wednesday night due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The league issued a statement saying they would have an update Thursday morning.
The NHL has not yet suspended operations for the 2019-20 season Wednesday night due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The league issued a statement saying they would have an update Thursday morning.
“The National Hockey League is aware of the NBA’s decision tonight to indefinitely suspend its season due to a player testing positive for the coronavirus,” the statement said. “The NHL is continuing to consult with medical experts and is evaluating the options. We expect to have a further update tomorrow.”
The announcement on the heels of the NBA’s decision to suspend operations. Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus and Wednesday’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed while police shut down Chesapeake Energy Arena and teams were quarantined inside their individual locker rooms.
Earlier in the day, the NCAA banned fans from the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments as well as the Frozen Four hockey tournament. The San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to play home games without fans.
The shutdown is unprecedented. The NHL has had four work stoppages since 1992 but one was a strike and the other two were lockouts.
The World Health Organization classified the coronavirus as a pandemic Wednesday afternoon and President Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on European travel.
