RELATED: WHAT THE NHL'S 24-TEAM RETURN TO PLAY FORMAT MEANS FOR THE CANES
Here is the latest timeline for the league's return to play plan, which was ratified by both the NHL's Board of Governors and the Players' Association.
Last Updated: July 27
Phase 1: Self-Isolation - COMPLETE
Since the 2019-20 season was paused on March 12, teams and players were instructed to self-isolate as much as possible.
Phase 2: Voluntary Small-Group Workouts - COMPLETE
The league transitioned into Phase 2 on Monday, June 8, allowing clubs to reopen their home training facilities to allow players to participate in small-group (limit of six players at one time) on- and off-ice training activities. This phase is strictly voluntary and is subject to various measures and requirements spelled out in the
Phase 2 protocol
.
After delaying their transition into Phase 2, the
Hurricanes began voluntary skates at PNC Arena
on Tuesday, June 30.
Phase 3: Training Camp - COMPLETE
Formal training camps for the 24 teams resuming play will open on Monday, July 13. Rosters are limited to 30 skaters, but teams can carry an ulimited number of goaltenders. Unlike Phase 2, there are no small-group restrictions; on the ice and in the locker room, training camps will essentially proceed as usual, with
enhanced medical and safety measures
in place to help prevent the spread of the virus.
RELATED: WILLIAMS, CANES REVVING UP FOR POSTSEASON
The Canes will have 29 players, including four goaltenders, skating at PNC Arena during Phase 3. Camp will feature two weeks of on-ice work in Raleigh before the team departs to Toronto, where they will continue to skate and play in one exhibition game prior to the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
Phase 4: Return to Play - ACTIVE (traveled to Toronto on July 26, Qualifiers begin Aug. 1)
The 24 teams resuming play will travel to their designated hub city (Toronto for the Eastern Conference and Edmonton for the Western Conference) on Sunday, July 26. Rosters are limited to 31 players (including goaltenders), and each club is limited to 52 people inside the bubble - what they're referring to as the "Phase 4 Secure Zone."
Extensive medical and safety protocols
will be in place to help prevent the spread of the virus.
HOCKEY IS BACK: CANES RETURN TO PLAY ON AUG. 1
The Canes have
31 players on their Phase 4 roster
, including 16 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders.
The schedule is set for Aug. 1-9, which will feature the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus a round-robin for the top four teams in each conference to determine seeding. Monday, Aug. 10 is a day off, prior to the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
