Canucks to play 2021 home games in Vancouver: NHL
Posted December 24, 2020 2:15 pm.
Last Updated December 24, 2020 3:24 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Vancouver Canucks will play their home games at Rogers Arena when the NHL season kicks off in January.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly made the announcement Thursday.
“We believe we are aligned and in agreement on the conditions on which each of our Canadian franchises can begin play in their own buildings for the start of the 2020-2021 NHL season,” he wrote in a statement.
Statement from Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on NHL Canadian Clubs Playing in Home Arenas. pic.twitter.com/mtCLTwlLcB
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 24, 2020
The league has been involved in discussions with the five provincial governments which have NHL teams to try to gain approval to play at their home arenas during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spostsnet’s Chris Johnston says increased testing is part of what the teams had to agree to, but notes the decision is welcome.
“For these teams who’ve kind of had this hanging over them, I think this brings some relief now with a couple weeks to go before the start of the season,” he says.
“It’s most welcome news just in time for Christmas for the league, for the players and for these teams. I think what’s important here is the NHL can have the players back in their own cities.”
The countdown to January 13 is on!
Full Schedule https://t.co/Sb8ZnAFFYY pic.twitter.com/fPjP4qRg2q
— NHL (@NHL) December 23, 2020
The NHL realigned its divisions for the 2021 season to create a North Division, which features all seven Canadian teams. Teams will not cross the U.S.-Canada border, which remains closed to non-essential travel until at least Jan. 21, 2021.
The Canucks will play their first game on Jan. 13 against the Edmonton Oilers.
