May 8, 2021
Some NHLers on Canadian teams receive first vaccine dose; Leafs set for Sunday
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports some NHL players on Canadian teams have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
TSN.ca Staff
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports some NHL players on Canadian teams have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dreger adds that no one is jumping the line as Canada's vaccine rollout is governed by regional and provincial protocols. Different provinces currently have different criteria of who is eligible to receive the vaccine based on age, preexisting health conditions, location of residence and other factors.
As vaccination age parameters change across Canada, sources say some NHL players on Canadian teams have received their first dose. No one is jumping the line as it’s governed by regional/provincial protocols.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 8, 2021
But because they will likely have to wait until later in the summer to get their second shot as it currently works in Canada, the current NHL protocols will stay the same for the 7 Cdn teams for the playoffs. Won’t get same loosening of protocols as 24 US teams. https://t.co/3USaxdrM6B
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 8, 2021
The Maple Leafs will get their first dose of the vaccine on Sunday.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun tweets that because Canadian team NHL players will likely have to wait until later in the summer to get their second dose, the current NHL protocols will stay the same for the seven Canadian teams for the playoffs.
TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli reported earlier on Saturday that the NHL is relaxing its COVID-19 protocol for fully vaccinated teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Seravalli writes the modified protocol will allow playoff-bound players greater freedoms with regards to masks, testing, team meetings, social gatherings and travel -- once 85 per cent of a team’s traveling party is fully vaccinated.
Seravalli adds that anywhere from five to seven of the 12 American teams will meet the league's "fully vaccinated" 85% threshold by the start of the playoffs.
Source says expectation is anywhere from five to seven of the 12 🇺🇸 teams will meet the league's "fully vaccinated" 85% threshold by the start of the playoffs.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 8, 2021
As of yesterday, #NHL's U.S.-based teams ranged from a low of 0% to a high of 97% players fully vaccinated.
And that as of Friday, U.S.-based teams ranged from a low of 0 per cent to a high of 97 per cent players fully vaccinated.
The majority of U.S. teams are around 50 per cent of players fully vaccinated, and that number would be much higher if you add in guys who are partially vaccinated.
The NHL considers 14 days since completed vaccination as "fully vaccinated."
The majority of U.S. teams are around 50% of players fully vaccinated.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 8, 2021
If you add in partially vaccinated, the number is much higher and will continue to grow as days pass. Remember: #NHL considers 14 days since completed vaccination as "fully vaccinated."
The league has not made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for its players, coaches and team personnel.