On Tuesday, Canuck forward Adam Gaudette tested positive for COVID-19 and was pulled from practice. Then the team took the ice on Wednesday for morning skate in preparation for their game against the Calgary Flames that evening.
Since then, the club’s game against the Flames was cancelled and it is now believed that over 20 players and staff members have tested positive, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger:
Number of positive cases climbing within the Vancouver Canucks. More than 20 players/coaches combined have tested positive. Variant symptoms include vomiting, cramping and dehydration. Family members are getting it. Scary situation. Next 5-7 days will determine scheduling.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 4, 2021
Contrary to the belief of some choosing to comment on the situation without much knowledge of what’s actually going on, this is far from a few days of rest for the club. One member of the Canucks told Andrew Walker he “finally made it to the couch after two days”.
Rick Dhaliwal also reported the following:
Source close to the Canucks situation – “This is the first wave of it where I’ve heard guys really question whether it’s worth playing or not.”
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) April 4, 2021
The NHL COVID-19 protocol list identifying exactly which Canucks players have been affected by the virus will be updated around 2 PM.
Update: Contrary to Dreger’s report, Ben Kuzma of Postmedia reported that there are under 20 total cases and that those affected have avoided severe symptoms such as vomiting. Most are experiencing mild headaches, fevers, fatigue and lethargy while those with worse symptoms — one player had to get IV treatment at home — are now feeling better, according to Kuzma.
Irfaan Gaffar reported the following:
Chatted briefly with a couple people who are dealing with the current Covid situation with the #Canucks – it’s tough, some of these guys can’t get out of bed. “Absolute shock to the body.”
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) April 4, 2021
Farhan Lalji also corroborated the reporting that the cases are over 20 and that those affected are facing more serious symptoms.
Everyone I’ve spoken to supports this end of the reporting. It’s very real, the symptoms are very real in the majority of cases, the increasing numbers are very real. #Canucks https://t.co/wxXbmHOBaa
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 4, 2021
More to come.