Update: The NHL announced this afternoon that its season is "paused" beginning with tonight's games.
The league says it will "monitor all the appropriate medical advice" before taking its next steps.
"Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy."
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Junior hockey teams across Canada and parts of the northern United States are taking a closer look at preventative measures in light of the coronavirus and how it could affect players and local fans alike.
Canadian Hockey League president Dan MacKenzie and the three regional league commissioners — the Ontario Hockey League's David Branch, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Gilles Courteau and the Western Hockey League's Ron Robison — are meeting today to evaluate next steps for the league and teams in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further updates will be provided as they are available, OHL communications director Josh Sweetland announced this morning.
On Tuesday, the OHL said it would continue to closely monitor the latest data and recommended measures provided by public health agencies regarding COVID-19.
"Since the start of the outbreak, we have been in regular communication with OHL member teams, the National Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and Hockey Canada," the league said in a release. "Subsequently, players, billets and staff are taking all necessary precautions to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus."
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced Wednesday it is suspending the regular-season schedule indefinitely after a Utah Jazz player contracted the virus.
“The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic," the NBA said in a statement.
The National Hockey League is also examining the situation closely and consulting with medical experts.
On Thursday, the NHL tweeted: "Given the uncertainty regarding next steps regarding the coronavirus, clubs are advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings today."
Earlier this week, the OHL said general managers as well as medical and training staff from all 20 member teams were provided with updates on preventative measures to be taken in team areas such as dressing rooms and team buses as well as hygienic best practices to put in place throughout their facilities.
In addition to regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and water, or cleansing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the OHL has provided team representatives and officials with a series of recommendations. These include limiting access to dressing rooms to only players, coaches and support staff; media access being held in designated areas; elimination of handshakes between teammates, opponents, officials; no sharing of water bottles or towels on benches or penalty box areas; andn voiding direct contact with fans, including high-fives, handshakes, and autographing of items.
