Update: After Thursday’s game, Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme announced that Brendan Gallagher and Sami Niku both had their positive tests confirmed and will face a minimum 10 day quarantine.
Ducharme confirme également que Gallagher et Niku ont reçu un résultat positif à la COVID-19 et devront être placés en quarantaine pendant 10 jours.
Ducharme also says Gallagher and Niku have both tested positive for COVID-19 and must quarantine for 10 days.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 3, 2021
The original article is still below:
The Montreal Canadiens announced that forward Brendan Gallagher and defenceman Sami Niku have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Thursday.
Forward Brendan Gallagher and defenseman Sami Niku have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
Both players are being monitored closely by team doctors and following the guidelines and protocols set by the NHL. pic.twitter.com/CU2eyotpXM
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 2, 2021
The team says that the two will be followed and monitored by team doctors and protocols set by the NHL. This means that they will remain in COVID-19 protocols until they can provide consecutive negative tests and show no symptoms of the virus. It also means the Canadiens will go back to wearing masks and become a bubble away from the rink.
Head coach Dominique Ducharme said that both players are not displaying symptoms.
Former general manager Marc Bergevin had COVID-19 prior to him being fired. He had quarantined once he became sick. These are the first players in COVID-19 protocol since Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi last season.
The Canadiens host the Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Centre on Thursday, and Gallagher and Niku could be replaced with returning injured players like Brett Kulak, Chris Wideman, or Mathieu Perreault. Otherwise, they can recall someone from the Laval Rocket who are at home and between games against the Texas Stars.
The Rocket played Wednesday night and will play again on Friday.
