The NHL has been hit by multiple COVID outbreaks this season. We knew that was less of a possibility and more of a probability given the state of North America throughout the duration of this wonky 2021 season. But as access to the various COVID-19 vaccines has increased, the league, as well as all the major sports leagues in North America, have been gaining access to vaccines just like the broader general public.
On Tuesday, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton revealed that he and several members of the Blackhawks staff had received their COVID-19 vaccines.
Jeremy Colliton: "I have been vaccinated. Several of the staff have been vaccinated. Doc Terry has been working on setting that up. … Obviously the players, to my knowledge, haven’t been vaccinated, but I think it would be good. But we have to do it at the right time."
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 6, 2021
He also mentioned that the players are planning to get their vaccines as well, but have been waiting their turn as team doctor, Dr. Michael Terry, has been working to get players appointments.
Colliton says he's been vaccinated and several other Hawks staff members has been.
Adds that Dr. Terry has been working on setting appointments up for players and staff. But none of the players have been vaccinated yet.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 6, 2021
This is great news as the league has still been dealing with COVID outbreaks, even at this point in the season.
The Vancouver Canucks have all but put their season on hold, for good in 2021, due to an outbreak of the Brazilian variant within the organization.
You can also add Rockford IceHogs head coach Derek King and his staff to the list, too.
#IceHogs coach Derek King said he and staff members have received their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and the second shot will come April 19. #Blackhawks #AHL
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) April 6, 2021
As teams get closer to the postseason, the risk of missing games becomes twice as concerning. Not only for health reasons, which are first and foremost, but also for the fact that teams could miss the postseason or be held out after qualifying if they are to experience an outbreak. The Blackhawks are in the thick of the Central Division playoff race, and now is not the time to risk losing players or games as they try to get into the postseason for the second-straight year.
Also, this is a good reminder to get your vaccines as well!