We may not yet have a list of players who will comprise Canada's 2022 Men's Olympic hockey team, but one thing we do know is that there will not be any unvaccinated players on the roster.
CEO and secretary general of the Canadian Olympic Committee David Shoemaker released a statement on Wednesday, highlighting health and safety as the primary reason for the decision.
«We know that the best way to keep athletes, staff, and the communities we live, train and compete in safe, is for all members of Team Canada to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
"For that reason, and the recent announcement by the federal government that all air travellers must be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021, we notified potential Beijing 2022 hopefuls and Mission Team members by email earlier today that they must be fully vaccinated to be named to Team Canada."
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At this point, that would render someone like New Jersey Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood ineligible to be selected to Team Canada's Olympic roster - though there is still time for the 24-year-old to establish his eligibility by getting vaccinated.
The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was originally expected to be among those in consideration for a spot, with veterans
Carey Price,
Marc-Andre Fleury and
Darcy Kuemper also drawing interest.
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