CBC-Sports

NHL teams take caution in wake of H1N1

October 28, 2009 04:44 PM | Posted by   Scott Morrison  

Everyone take a deep breath.

It may not a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, but it is a good preventative for the hysteria building around it.

Now, no one should be taking the disease lightly, especially in wake of a 13-year-old hockey player in suburban Toronto succumbing to the virus earlier this week.

But overreaction accomplishes nothing, either.

NHLers not immune, teams taking caution

So the National Hockey League is dealing with the situation, especially now that three players - Colorado goaltender Peter Budaj, Edmonton defenceman Ladislav Smid and now Washington winger Quintin Laing - have been confirmed with having the swine flu, and a fourth - Islanders centre Doug Weight - has battled through it, with concern and caution.

The league has been working with both the U.S. and Canadian governments to acquire all the information available to share with the 30 teams.

So far, there are no mandates from the league with how to deal with affected players other than to exercise common sense.

It remains up to the teams and the individual players to determine whether they will take the swine flu vaccine when it becomes available. Otherwise, like everyone else, it’s all about being smart.

Players are being advised to wash their hands frequently. There shouldn’t be any sharing of water bottles or even towels and if someone appears to have flu-like symptoms, they should be kept away from the rest of the team. Edmonton, which has had flu issues and now has Smid with the swine flu, has even told players to keep their gloves on while on the bench.

It’s pretty much how teams would deal with a "normal" flu outbreak.

No pandemic plan yet

As for potential roster challenges if there is a major outbreak, well, it’s far too early for the league to even contemplate a plan. As it stands now, teams will have to continue to call up players from the minors if they are sick and short, but there is no pandemic plan.

“I don’t know if you can do anything unless you live in a bubble,” Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson told reporters Wednesday. “We have to fly on planes, which is one of the worst things you can do, where you share the air with people.”

Recently, when the Buffalo Sabres flew with Clarke MacArthur, who had flu-like symptoms, they made him wear a surgical mask.

“I think first of all, I’m going to ban the media because you guys are one of the first to … I’m just kidding there,” said Wilson. “I don’t know if there’s anything you can do. The shots haven’t been made available to us yet. You just cross your fingers and hope people don’t get sick.”

And take a deep breath.

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