Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele placed in NHL´s COVID-19 protocol
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) - Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele was placed in the NHL´s COVID-19 protocol Thursday and sat out the Jets' home opener against the Anaheim Ducks.
The team said Scheifele tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday morning, but was asymptomatic. He had a negative test and would have been cleared to play Thursday night against Anaheim if he had another negative test before the game started.
Scheifele is the second Winnipeg player to test positive for COVID-19 this week after captain Blake Wheeler was put in league protocol Monday with the team in Minnesota prepping to take on the Wild.
Wheeler must isolate from the club for at least 10 days and will require a doctor´s approval to return once he´s symptom-free. Scheifele and Wheeler make up two-thirds of Winnipeg´s top line with Kyle Connor.
All of Winnipeg´s players are vaccinated.
Winnipeg recalled forward Dominic Toninato from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL on Thursday.
Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) skates during warm ups before taking on the Edmonton Oilers in an NHL preseason hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture, left, reaches for the puck next to Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
