Senators player is first NHLer to test positive for COVID-19 late Tuesday night

It appears we have the first case of COVID-19 in the NHL. 

Just five days after the NHL announced it would pause its 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus outbreak, a first player in the league has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, a member of the Ottawa Senators has tested positive.

The good news is that his symptoms are not serious and the player is currently in isolation. They however did not reveal the identity of the player in their official statement. All members of the Senators have been requested to remain isolated, to monitor their health and seek advice from the team medical staff.

The Senators played in San Jose on March 7 when it had become a hotspot at the time and County officials recommended against large crowds gatherings. According to Brent Wallace of TSN and Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the Sens spent a total of six days in California and had a full day off to travel and travel around on March 8. 

These are uncertain times for all, especially since the NHL paused its season due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. When commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on Thursday, none of the league’s players had tested positive for the disease until now.

In the NBA, the association suspended its season following the news that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz had tested positive and it was later discovered his teammate, Donovan Mitchell, had as well. One member of the Detroit Pistons and four members of the Brooklyn Nets were also found to have the virus. Kevin Durant is said to be one of the players with the virus. 

We will know more on Wednesday…