Vancouver Canucks’ forward Adam Gaudette left midway through the team’s Tuesday morning practice after testing positive for COVID-19.
As per the NHL’s positive test protocol, Gaudette will be required to go into isolation while medical staff do a “second run” on the initial respiratory sample. If his second test comes back positive, then Gaudette will be considered a confirmed positive case, and the league and local health authorities will be notified.
If Gaudette’s second test comes back negative, he will still be required to remain in isolation until a “third run” is collected 24 hours later, again on the initial respiratory sample. Only if the third test comes back negative can the player exit isolation.
Contact tracing will also be immediately conducted.
This may pose a problem for the Canucks, as it appeared that Gaudette and teammate Brock Boeser were outside together on Monday afternoon, according to their Instagram stories.
Jake Virtanen did not attend the entire practice, with head coach Travis Green indicating that the forward stayed at home because he was not feeling well.
At this time, there is no indication that Virtanen has tested positive for COVID-19.
No update on Petey, still skating on his own.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 30, 2021
Virtanen wasn’t feeling well so he stayed home today.
Gaudette has tested positive and entered COVID protocol.
(Per Coach Green)
Of course, this is not the first time the Canucks have dealt with coronavirus this year.
They were without the services of J.T. Miller and Jordie Benn at the beginning of the season, after the two players were placed on the COVID-19 protocol list in early January.
The Canucks, who are nearing the end of their seven-day break, are scheduled to play the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena, but that may change in the coming hours.
Just last week, the Montreal Canadiens placed two players on their COVID-19 protocol list, which resulted in the league postponing their next three games, as well as shutting down their practice facilities.
The Canucks are also set to embark on a seven-game road trip later this week, granted no other players or staff test positive, or the league doesn’t step in and take further action.
More information to follow.