NHL travel protocols will be very stringent

National Hockey League travel protocols for players in road cities are expected to be very stringent, according to TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli.

Players and staff will be limited to the game rink, practice rink, or team hotel, Seravalli reported. Seravalli added the language in the travel protocols continues to change and will further with input from provincial health authorities.

There will be no guests allowed in hotel rooms, no use of hotel gyms, and no housekeeping, per Seravalli. Players will also be assigned seats on buses and planes, with in-flight catering eliminated where feasible.

According to TSN's Ryan Rishaug, the British Columbian government remains unwilling to allow NHL teams to travel into the province for games. He reports that it may change as discussions continue but it remains their current position, even with the added safety protocols.

League source says at this point the BC government remains unwilling to allow NHL teams to travel into the province for games. That may change as discussions continue, but remains their position as of now, even with the added safety protocols outlined today by @frank_seravalli

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) December 20, 2020

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association reached a tentative agreement on Friday night to begin a 56-game regular season on Jan. 13 with teams hosting games in their own home arenas, wherever possible.