After multiple reports of positive COVID-19 tests across the sporting landscape on Friday, including Maple Leafs’ star Auston Matthews, the NHL released a statement in regards to testing during Phase 2 of its Return To Play plan, which began on June 8.
In the statement, the league announced that 11 players out of an “excess of 200” that have undergone multiple rounds of testing have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the NHL’s results thus far, that’s a positivity rate of less than 5.5%, which sounds good in the grand scheme of things.
But issues arise when you consider that Phase 2 calls for voluntary workouts in groups of just six or fewer. With the Tampa Bay Lightning shutting down their facility, the NHL’s weekly testing results will be something to monitor. Training camps, after all, are quickly approaching on July 10, the date the NHL set for the start of Phase 3.
Several Blackhawks players have been skating at the team’s official practice facility since the NHL officially advanced to Phase 2 on June 8.
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NHL reveals 11 players have tested positive for coronavirus since June 8 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
