Coronavirus in Sport – the impact on Ice Hockey
This is a continuously updated account of how ice hockey has been impacted by the developing coronavirus pandemic. For information on how the virus has affected other sports, click here.
International
21st March - The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has cancelled the 2020 IIHF World Hockey Championship due to be held in Switzerland from May 8th.
UK Elite League
13th March - Elite League Ice Hockey is cancelled for the rest of the 2019-20 season after two teams reported players in self-isolation scuppered plans of a possible postponement.
NHL
30th April - The NHL and the NHLPA believe they might be able to allow small group activities in NHL training facilities at some point in the mid-to-later portion of May.
23rd April - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the NHL is looking at a four-city plan to restart the 2019-20 season.
14th April - The NHL has extended its self-quarantine recommendation for players and staff to April 30.
7th April - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said on Tuesday that completing the 2019-20 NHL regular season "may not be possible".
7th April - A third player for the Colorado Avalanche has tested positive for coronavirus, the league announced Tuesday.
1st April - The NHL has extended its self-quarantine period for players and staff to April 15.
25th March - The NHL's annual combine and awards ceremony have been postponed along with the draft that was set to take place in Montreal, with no new dates yet fixed.
24th March - Following the suspension of the NHL season the league has asked personnel earning more than $75,000, such as NHL executives, to take a pay cut of around 25%
19th March - NHL Deputy commissioner Bill Daly insists the NHL does not want to do anything that will "impact [their] ability to have a full season next year" with a view to playing a full 2020-21 season of 82 games later this year.
13th March - NHL Commissioner decides to pause the season after an NBA player tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday 12th March with a view to “complete the season and the playoffs in an appropriate manner”.
