The Calgary Flames season has been put on hold as 27 members of the organization have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
The first news came early Monday from the NHL head office in New York. Calgary Flames games will be postponed until “At least through Dec. 16,” the league said in a media release. It was initially six players that were put into the COVID-19 protocol.
The Flames were on a four-game losing skid going into a Monday evening matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“As an appropriate precaution, the team’s training facilities have been closed, effective immediately, and will remain closed for Players until further notice,” the media release stated.
“The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the Flames regular season schedule.”
The league said it made the decision, in consultation with the NHL, NHL Players’ Association and the Flames medical teams. It was done in anticipation continued spread and the likelihood of additional positive cases.
“The Flames organization has followed, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, provincial and national agencies,” the league said in the statement.
And then this happened.
There are 16 players, three coaches and eight other staff members in the protocol. There are seven players not yet in the pandemic protocol.
There’s been no word from the NHL or the Calgary Flames on how long this latest development might postpone their season.
