Thatcher Demko took a long pause before answering.

Not because he didnB次元官网网址檛 know what to say B次元官网网址� the Vancouver Canucks goalie just wanted to be sure he chose his words carefully when the topic pivoted.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e gotta be careful with this one B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 so much tension about it,B次元官网网址� Demko said of the NHL and COVID-19 vaccinations. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l just speak for myself: itB次元官网网址檚 part of the job. YouB次元官网网址檝e got to do it if you want to fully participate in the season this year. Getting the vaccine isnB次元官网网址檛 something that IB次元官网网址檓 passionate enough (about) to inhibit my ability to play.

B次元官网网址淚 had no problem getting it.B次元官网网址�

The NHL and NHL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association havenB次元官网网址檛 mandated vaccines for players with training camps starting this week, but thereB次元官网网址檚 little doubt tough restrictions B次元官网网址� including not being able to cross the border from the U.S. into Canada without a two-week quarantine B次元官网网址� provided an incentive for many on the fence.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said last week he estimates 98 per cent of players will be vaccinated by the start of the season, leaving between 10 and 15 players without the jab among roughly 700 competitors on 32 teams.

B次元官网网址淭he leagueB次元官网网址檚 trying to operate as safe as possible and trying to encourage the safest possible environment,B次元官网网址� Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e encouraged that and tried to minimize risks to keep everybody safe, and to make sure that everything functions.

B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 anyoneB次元官网网址檚 choice to determine what they feel is best for them B次元官网网址� I think you can make an argument on both sides. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what the pandemicB次元官网网址檚 really been all about. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a very difficult situation all the way through, and even up until now.B次元官网网址�

Clubs will have the right to suspend unvaccinated players without pay this season if theyB次元官网网址檙e unable to participate in hockey activities as part of coronavirus protocols, including games in Canada.

Sporting a mask, Leafs winger William Nylander opened his press conference at the start of TorontoB次元官网网址檚 camp by informing reporters heB次元官网网址檚 not yet fully vaccinated.

B次元官网网址淗ad couple medical things to take care of,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l be fully vaccinated by the beginning of the season.B次元官网网址�

Vaccinated players that test positive in 2021-22 for COVID-19 will be treated as having hockey injuries and still get paid, while their unvaccinated counterparts are set to have their movements restricted on the road.

Regular testing for the coronavirus will continue for vaccinated players.

Canucks forward Jason Dickinson said the decision to role up his sleeve was an easy one.

B次元官网网址淭he vaccine works B次元官网网址� it works,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people that want to argue it. And I guess thatB次元官网网址檚 their right, but thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people that are losing their rights right now by having to wait (the unvaccinated) out.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 slowing down everybody elseB次元官网网址檚 life.B次元官网网址�

But Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, whose team is fully vaccinated, said he felt pressured into getting the shot.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not anti-vaxx by any means, but IB次元官网网址檇 like to have that decision for myself,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 had just gotten COVID and gotten over it, and then I had to get the (vaccine), which made me feel like I had COVID all over again. If I could have had at least some time to choose, maybe I would have got it (when) they recommend B次元官网网址� three months later.

B次元官网网址淚 would have liked (the NHLPA) to have helped us a little more B次元官网网址� I just feel it could have been worked out a little bit better.B次元官网网址�

Unlike last seasonB次元官网网址檚 playoffs when the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning were permitted to cross the border to play the Montreal Canadiens, thereB次元官网网址檚 no quarantine exemption from the Canadian government for the 2021-22 campaign.

NHL coaches and staff are required by the league to be vaccinated, which cost Columbus assistant Sylvain Lefebvre his job after he declined to adhere to the policy.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e teetering the line between your own personal choice and what we want to do, and then how it affects others,B次元官网网址� Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman said when asked about the NHLB次元官网网址檚 policy for players. B次元官网网址淚f someone doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable getting vaccinated, then thatB次元官网网址檚 his right and I guess heB次元官网网址檒l have to abide by the rules of the league.B次元官网网址�

As camps opened this week, news started to filter out regarding players that are yet to be vaccinated. Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi has declined to get his shots, meaning he will miss all nine of DetroitB次元官网网址檚 games in Canada this season B次元官网网址� and lose out on a considerable chunk of his US$4.25-million salary.

B次元官网网址淛ust personal choice, freedom of choice,B次元官网网址� Bertuzzi said. B次元官网网址淚t was a life decision.B次元官网网址�

Oilers winger Josh Archibald is also unvaccinated, which GM Ken Holland said could see him sit out up to 30 games in the U.S. because of the quarantine required upon returning to Canada.

B次元官网网址淭o get vaccinated has been a personal decision,B次元官网网址� said Holland, who added veteran defenceman and vaccine holdout Duncan Keith got jabbed and will join his new team soon. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been an easy decision for some, and itB次元官网网址檚 been a difficult decision for some.B次元官网网址�

The Canucks suffered through a devastating COVID-19 outbreak last season, and will be fully vaccinated in 2021-22.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of these guys have young kids and they all ended up getting sick,B次元官网网址� Vancouver GM Jim Benning said. B次元官网网址淎s a group, they knew the importance of getting vaccinated to give ourselves the best chance to get back to normal. So there wasnB次元官网网址檛 too many guys that didnB次元官网网址檛 want to get vaccinated.B次元官网网址�

Canucks forward J.T. Miller said the protocols are out of his hands.

B次元官网网址淚 just try to worry about what I can control,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e set in place for a reason and IB次元官网网址檓 just here to do my part. I got vaccinated, I did what I had to do to come here and do my job.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to do what the rules are.B次元官网网址�

Dickinson said a vaccinated league is the quickest way back to some semblance of normal.

B次元官网网址淲e want to play games,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e want fans in the building.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e want to get back to life.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press