Canada approves NHL camps, but provinces must rule on games

Canadian government, citing “national interest grounds,” gave its approval Thursday for start of NHL training camps. It issued an exemption to mandatory 14-day quarantine period for NHL players and team staff to return to country.

five provinces with NHL franchises, however, must give ir approval for games between Canadian teams during regular season, which is scheduled to start Jan. 13. seven Canadian teams will play in a separate realigned division.

Public Health ncy of Canada said league’s plan for preseason offers “robust measures to mitigate risk of importation and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.” All provinces with NHL clubs have provided written support for plan.

statement added that all teams must operate within provincial rules for regular-season play.

five provinces with teams have t commented on NHL since Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said a week ago that league believes it can play in all seven Canadian markets -- Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver

Canadian teams will play each or only during regular season and first two rounds of playoffs. y also won’t cross U.S.-Canada border, which remains closed to nessential travel.

Ottawa Senators were one of seven clubs across 31-team league to start training camp Thursday after t qualifying for playoffs as part of restart to pandemic-halted 2019-20 season. or six Canadian teams are to open training camp Sunday or Monday.

Im credits: AP