Horvat must quarantine in Nashville for a minimum of five days. If he then tests negative, he will be allowed to vacate the hotel, but could run into issues at the border.
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The COVID-19 crunch has landed another punch.
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The Vancouver Canucks announced Tuesday that captain Bo Horvat has been placed on the National Hockey League’s protocol list. It means the centre, who led the club with 13 goals heading into its five-game road trip finale in Nashville, won’t play in an upcoming three-game homestand, and his return across the Canadian border could be a bit of an adventure.
Horvat must quarantine in Nashville for a minimum of five days. If he then tests negative, he will be allowed to vacate the hotel, but could run into issues at the border. There have been recent orders from Canadian border guards requiring an additional period of isolation for Canuck players before returning to the club. There have been recent orders from Canadian border guards requiring an additional period of isolation for Canuck players before returning to the club.
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It also means Elias Pettersson will likely shift back to centre from left wing to address the centre-ice void, but coach Bruce Boudreau has other lineup options.
The Canucks also lost winger Conor Garland to the protocol list on Sunday. He had tested positive Saturday and then returned negative tests to play the same day in Raleigh, N.C. The following day, Garland returned three positive tests in Washington, D.C. before the warm-up and is in the same quarantine situation as Horvat. Garland was third in club scoring after 37 games with 24 points (10-14).
Also on Saturday in Raleigh, Canucks back-up goaltender Jaroslav Halak tested positive 30 minutes before his scheduled start and is also in a U.S. isolation. The Canucks did announce Monday that winger Justin Dowling has finally been removed from COVID non-roster status.
OVERTIME — The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association are expected to agree that after the All-Star Game in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, they will no longer test asymptomatic players and staff. Testing will only be required for cross-border travel and if someone develops symptoms. “That’s what I’ve heard as well,” said Boudreau. “If every other league is doing it, then it’s great that we’re doing it as well.”
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