Then the NHL wants to get back on the ice

The date for phase 3 of the NHL restart is set. On July 10th, the joint training of the teams is to be resumed before it starts again in August.

The start date for phase 3 is set: In preparation for the restart of the NHL professional hockey league, the clubs’ training camps are scheduled to begin on July 10th.

The league has reached an agreement with the NHLPA players’ union. However, the camps will only be opened if the safety of the parties involved in the Corona matter is guaranteed. A final agreement between NHL and NHLPA for the continuation of the game is also still pending.

“Nothing is better than camping in summer”, wrote the Edmonton Oilers, team of top scorer Leon Draisaitl, after the decision. On Monday phase 2 had begun for the NHL professionals. Work in small groups of maximum six people is possible in the training halls of the franchises since then. Phase 4 is the restart, probably in August after a good three weeks of team training the team will continue to play. In phase 1, the league had recommended isolated preparation.

In May, the NHL decided that 24 teams would continue the season, which had been interrupted by the pandemic, with extended play-offs. Both conferences will be split between two cities according to the planning. There are ten candidates in the selection. In these so-called “hub cities” each team may be represented by a maximum of 50 people.