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Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and three teammates were put on the NHL’s COVID-19 absence list on Wednesday as the league fined the team $ 100,000 for violation of health and safety protocols.
Ovechkin, center Evgeny Kuznetsov, defender Dmitry Orlov and goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov have all been added to the daily roster of players “unavailable to play or train, in accordance with the league’s COVID protocols.”
This does not mean that they have all tested positive for COVID-19, as players can end up on the roster for reasons ranging from testing positive to ‘quarantine required as high risk close contact. “.
The NHL fined the Capitals for “social interactions between team members who were in close contact and who did not wear face coverings.”
The players broke NHL security protocols to group together in a hotel room.
“Our coaching staff have worked very hard to create a safe environment for our players and staff to compete this season,” the Capitals said in a statement. “We are disappointed with our players’ choice to interact in their hotel rooms and outside of team approved areas. We accept the NHL’s decision and will once again reiterate COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure players are in full compliance going forward. “
NHL protocols state that each member of a team’s travel party “will be required to stay in a single occupancy room, and no one should allow guests or other staff to their rooms,” at the except hotel staff.
“I regret my choice to spend time with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the locker rooms,” Ovechkin said in a statement. “I will learn from this experience.”
Teams were advised before the season that failure to adhere to NHL COVID-19 protocols would result in penalties.
“Proven violations and / or non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocol will result in significant penalties for clubs and individuals, including potential forfeiture of matches, fines and expense reimbursements, loss of draft picks and / or ineligibility for participation in training activities, ”the league said in its official COVID-19 protocols manual.
Compliance concerns are reported to the team’s “Facilities Compliance Officer” or directly to the NHL. Players can also contact the player representatives in their NHLPA division if they have any concerns about compliance.
The Capitals (2-0-2) sit first in the Eastern Division, with Ovechkin tied for the team lead with five points. At 707 career goals, Ovechkin is one goal away from equalizing former Capital Mike Gartner for seventh place all-time.
Kuznetsov is the team’s second center and Orlov is the team’s second in average ice time (20:49). Samsonov was named the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper at the start of the season.
Rookie Vitek Vanecek, sophomore Pheonix Copley and 39-year-old veteran Craig Anderson are the other goaltenders for the Capitals roster.
Washington lost in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. The Capitals’ next scheduled game is Friday at home against the Buffalo Sabers.
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