Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele is in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the team said.
Scheifele joins Blake Wheeler — his linemate and the team’s captain — who tested positive and was found symptomatic on Tuesday.
Wheeler is self-isolating, and neither he nor Scheifele will be in the lineup for the Thursday evening game against Anaheim.
According to the team, Scheifele tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, but then had a negative test. But the diagnosis was confirmed with another positive test on Thursday afternoon.
While Wheeler has to isolate for a minimum of 10 days, Scheifele is asymptomatic so he can return to the lineup once he has two negative tests in a 24-hour period.
To try and prevent any further transmissions, the Jets have added some enhanced protocols. Masks are once again required in the dressing room and players are being tested every day instead of the usual three-day testing period.
“We never had to deal with this last year, so it’s kind of a definitely weird scenario to go through,” said Scheifele after the Wheeler news was announced Tuesday.
“It obviously sucks for him. You hope he’s feeling fine and he comes back feeling good. Obviously the virus is still around.”
The 0-2-1 Jets take on the Anaheim Ducks at Canada Life Centre at 7 p.m.
For safety reasons, the team has moved all of its media availabilities to Zoom until further notice.
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