Jets captain Wheeler has COVID-19, out at least 10 days
Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler will miss at least four games while sidelined for COVID-19.
The Jets said before their game Tuesday at Minnesota that Wheeler was symptomatic after testing positive for the virus.
According to NHL rules for this season, that means Wheeler must isolate from the team for at least 10 days and need a doctor's approval to return once symptoms are gone. Wheeler was placed Monday in the league's COVID-19 protocols.
The Jets host Anaheim on Thursday and Nashville on Saturday before playing at Anaheim on Oct. 26, all games that the 35-year-old Wheeler will be absent for in addition to the matchup against the Wild in the area he grew up in.
"We focus on today, the guys that are playing," coach Paul Maurice said after the team's morning skate. "Then we'll make sure he gets lots of phone calls as soon as he's feeling 100%."
Wheeler had one assist in Winnipeg's first two games this season. The 14-year NHL veteran had 15 goals and 31 assists in 50 games for the Jets last season.
No other positive tests were reported by the Jets. All of their players are vaccinated.
"Obviously the virus is still around and you've still got to be aware of it, so just extra precaution," said center Mark Scheifele.
Andrew Copp was expected to slide into Wheeler's spot on the top line.
"I don't know if scary is the right word, but it kind of gives us a jolt that it's still around," Copp said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.