From the Free Press’s Helene St. James:
Tyler Bertuzzi, a key part of the Detroit Red Wings, has declined to get the vaccine for COVID-19, the only Wings player to do so, general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday.
Bertuzzi will still be at training camp, which runs for six days beginning Thursday in Traverse City. Yzerman said Bertuzzi will not be able to travel to Canada under current restrictions, which require a 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated players traveling into Canada.
Bertuzzi, 26, signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal in July. He’s a top-line player and power play guy, and one of the grittiest players on the team.
The NHL and NHL Players Association do not have a vaccine mandate for players, but unvaccinated players face restrictions that the vaccinated do not. The unvaccinated will not be exempt from a 14-day quarantine when crossing from the US. to Canada, and teams can suspend players without pay who are unable to participate in team activities.
Would miss nine games in Canada. https://t.co/xCQ27jTOtZ— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) September 22, 2021
Just as a follow-up to the few players who chose not to get vaccinated…under the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA…If a player cannot cross the border to play games, that player is subject to suspension without pay.— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) September 22, 2021
Red Wings play 8 games in Canada. NHL salaries are determined by days not games, but Tyler Bertuzzi will forfeit over $400,000 this season if he continues to decline vaccination. And that’s before any other time missed for COVID-19. https://t.co/hE9Hehp7Gq
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) September 22, 2021
Update: From Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:
He is the only Red Wings’ player who isn’t vaccinated. Following the NHL protocol, Bertuzzi will be able to attend training camp. About 98 percent of NHL players are vaccinated.
“As it stands now, under the Canadian laws, he would not be able to cross the border,” general manager Steve Yzerman said.
The Red Wings play in Montreal Oct. 23. Canada’s current quarantine/Covid border rules currently say no entry for non-vaccinated
Bertuzzi signed a two-contract this summer for $4.75 million per season. “It’s his decision,” Yzerman said, “and it’s the world we live in today. I’m not in a position to force anyone.”
He will be required to distance himself from players under certain circumstances, like in a gym, for example.
I miscounted the men. Tyler Bertuzzi will forfeit at LEAST over $450,000 in salary from Detroit Red Wings’ nine games in Canada this season if he continues to decline vaccination.— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) September 22, 2021
