NHL follows NBA, announces suspension of season
The Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals NHL hockey club, sits empty Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Washington, D.C.[AP Photo/Nick Wass]
The NHL is following the NBA’s lead and suspending its season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the pause of the season amid concerns about the new coronavirus. The NBA announced Wednesday night it was suspending play, after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
The NHL pauses the 2019-20 season. pic.twitter.com/bCi776ZFqX
— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2020
Several NBA and NHL teams share arenas.
The NHL has not said any player has tested positive for COVID-19. The league is halting play with 189 games left in the regular season, sparking uncertainty about how many more, if any, could be played before the playoffs.
Bettman said the NHL has tried to follow mandates of health experts and local authorities without taking premature or unnecessary measures." Bettman’s statement said the NBA’s news made it "no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time."
The Minnesota Wild released a statement Thursday in support of the league’s decision, saying, "The health and safety of our community, including our guests, players and staff is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to work closely with the NHL and local, state and national authorities on all of our safety measures and any necessary next steps we need to take in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic."
The team also said it would send more information to season ticket members, corporate partners, single-game ticket holders and other affected parties "soon."