The Vegas Golden Knights announced that general manager Kelly McCrimmon has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently isolating in Montreal for 14 days. TVA’s Renaud Lavoie first reported the news on Sunday.
Breaking story: @GoldenKnights GM Kelly McCrimmon received a positive COVID test. Team reaction here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5YsepVfy17
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 20, 2021
Kelly McCrimmon Isolating After Positive COVID Test
This is the second positive COVID-19 test of the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens semifinal series. Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme is isolating after catching coronavirus. He missed Game 3 with Luke Richardson taking over coaching duties, but Montreal still managed a 3-2 overtime win. Ducharme is hoping to coach some time in the series, but it may be unlikely.
“Kelly is self-isolating and will follow the protocols and recommendations from health officials and the NHL,” the Golden Knights said in a statement.
Vegas beat Montreal, 2-1, in overtime of Game 4 to tie the series. No players missed practice or tested positive for COVID. However, officials will be on alert after a second person involved in the series has COVID. The teams will travel back across the border for Game 5 Tuesday in Vegas.
McCrimmon did take over behind the bench after Peter DeBoer had to isolate earlier in the season.
What It Means
Here’s hoping McCrimmon and Ducharme both recover from this potentially serious virus. However, this could throw the Stanley Cup Playoffs off schedule if both made close contact with players or coaching. The virus takes time to incubate and could cause unvaccinated players to get sick. It’s unknown if McCrimmon has been vaccinated for the virus.
Both McCrimmon and Vegas president of hockey operations George McPhee were both see not wearing masks during Game 3. The pair were sitting together watching Game 3 and were warned about not wearing masks.
This is the first cross-border series in the NHL since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The Canadian-American border opened up thanks to Canadian government approval.
The NHL is trying to complete the season without any delays, but these positive tests could severely hamper that.
