In this time of wide-spread global uncertainty, I feel like it’s important that this site continues to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation but also recognizes this is supposed to be a place to talk about the Ottawa Senators.
Late Tuesday night, those two worlds collided.
According to a statement from the team, an unnamed Ottawa Senator has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Here is the statement from the team.
An Ottawa Senators player has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The player has had mild symptoms and is in isolation.
The Ottawa Senators are in the process of notifying anyone who has had known close contact with the athlete and are working with our team doctors and public health officials. As a result of this positive case, all members of the Ottawa Senators are requested to remain isolated, to monitor their health and seek advice from our team medical staff.
This represents the first positive case for an NHL player. Or at least the first one announced publicly.
Obviously there aren’t a lot of details available here but The Athletic has suggested that multiple players are ill right now and the team is awaiting further test results. The name of the player that has tested positive is not being released at this time.
The team, the league and health officials are likely trying to pinpoint where the exposure may have happened but given the fact that the Senators were recently on a lengthy road trip, it’s going to be tough.
Not that we needed it, but this is a good reminder of just how far-reaching this virus really is.
-Yesterday, the Ottawa Senators made another announcement related to the pandemic, indicating that the team’s Owner Eugene Melnyk intended on paying part-time and hourly workers the income they would have otherwise received during the suspension of play. The statement went on to say “part-time arena staff will receive income for the shifts scheduled through to and including April 4, the end of the NHL regular season. At the same time, Mr. Melnyk has personally committed to paying part-time arena employees of the Belleville Senators through to April 11, the end of the AHL regular season, and the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Good on Mr. Melnyk for stepping up and giving these people some sense of financial certainty during this unprecedented period.
