TRURO, N.S. — A player with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) issued a media release Wednesday morning announcing the positive test. The player's name will not be released to protect his privacy, the league said.
“(The) player is doing great ...,” Caps general manager Pat McIver told The Guardian Wednesday.
“He has zero symptoms. He is in good spirits and looking forward to getting back.”
The player tested positive during regular testing Monday. As a result of the positive test, all team members are isolating for two weeks.
“(We) won’t have any games or practices during that time,” added McIver.
The Capitals hosted the South Shore Lumberjacks on March 18 and visited the Amherst Ramblers on March 19. McIver noted all players and staff tested negative on March 18.
The Capitals are tested at least twice a week and have been following work-isolation rules set out by the Chief Public Health Office (CPHO). The team continues to work closely with public health officials.
McIver said the CPHO is conducting its investigation on contact tracing. However, an email Tuesday from The Guardian to the P.E.I. Department of Health and Wellness requesting further information about close contacts and possible exposure sites was not acknowledged.
MHL director of communications James Faulkner said the Ramblers, on the recommendation of the MHL’s chief medical officer, were being tested Wednesday.
As a result of the need for players and team staff in Summerside to isolate for two weeks, the following games will be postponed:
- March 23 – Summerside at Truro
- March 25 – Pictou at Summerside
- March 26 – Amherst at Summerside
- March 31 – Amherst at Summerside
- April 1 – Valley at Summerside
- April 3 – Truro at Summerside
Strong season
The Capitals, who have played only six of 20 regular-season games at home, have had six games postponed between March 23 and April 3 as a result of the positive test. The Caps are 13-5-2 (won-lost-overtime losses) and have the second-best winning percentage in the 12-team league at .700, behind only the Yarmouth Mariners (23-5-1, .810).
Faulkner said the plan is for the Eastlink South Division, which includes the Caps and five Nova Scotia teams, to conclude its regular season April 10.
“The standings are determined by win percentage, as per our announcement a few weeks ago,” said Faulkner. “Not every team will have the same number of games played.”
Few cases
It is only the second positive case involving an MHL team this season.
The other positive test involved a Campbellton Tiger in January, which was related to an outbreak in the northern New Brunswick city and came during a pause in the schedule for the Tigers.
Faulkner said MHL teams have been very diligent and committed to dealing with COVID-10 protocols.
“If you look around the country, we are basically the only junior A league, and one of the few leagues period that has been able to stay on the ice for any sustained period,” said Faulkner. “I think we are the only junior A league that is actually going to have a proper playoff.
“Overall, you can’t say enough about how the teams have weathered all of this. It’s been tough certainly, with the different periods of isolation, playing and not playing, not practising.
Obviously, it’s been a bit more of an impact for Summerside and the New Brunswick teams than Nova Scotia. It’s been fantastic the way the teams, and the players, especially, have committed doing what they need to do to continue playing.”
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