The NHL may no longer be considering Vancouver as a hub city for playoffs, the Canucks have confirmed.
B次元官网网址淔rom the beginning, our goal was to help the NHL get hockey back on the ice if we could,B次元官网网址 said the teamB次元官网网址檚 chief operating officer Trent Carroll in a statement Thursday (June 25). B次元官网网址淎lthough Vancover wonB次元官网网址檛 be a hub city, we are still excited to see hockey start up again.B次元官网网址
According to SportsnetB次元官网网址檚 Elliotte Friedman, VancouverB次元官网网址檚 bid to host 12 teams in coming weeks hit a snag during discussions between the league, Canucks and provincial health officials.
Specifically, health officials wanted to see a contingency plan for if a player contracted COVID-19 to include the entire team self-isolating, and not just the individual player, which could lead to a suspension in play.
B次元官网网址淰ancouver, for anyone who has been paying attention to this, is the best possible place for them to come because we enforce public health rules thoroughly and completely,B次元官网网址 Health Minister Adrian Dix told reporters during a news conference.
B次元官网网址淭his is the reason to come. I love the NHL. I love the NHL coming here. But I am also the Minister of Health, and the players and the fans and the people working at the arenas and those living in British Columbia expect the rules to apply to everybody.B次元官网网址
Shortly after the announcement, Premier John Horgan expressed his disappointment in the decision but noted that B.C. B次元官网网址渨ill not bend the rules on public health guidelines and risk the progress weB次元官网网址檝e made.B次元官网网址
I'm disappointed the NHL playoffs won't be coming to Vancouver, but we will not bend the rules on public health guidelines and risk the progress we've made. Protecting the health and safety of people in BC is our number one priority.
B次元官网网址 John Horgan (@jjhorgan)
Wherever they hit the ice, go !
Toronto and Edmonton are the other two Canadian cities still being considered.
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation