The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Wednesday that it has fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 due to a number of violations of its coronavirus guidelines.
The Capitals’ actions “involved social interactions among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings,” according to a statement from the NHL.
Winger and Captain Alex Ovechkin, center Evgeny Kuznetsov, defenseman Dmitry Orlov and goalie Ilya Samsonov have now been added to the “protocol absences list” and will not play the next four games.
The four players were reportedly together in a hotel room, and they were not wearing face masks.
“Our training staff has worked extremely hard to create a safe environment for our players and staff to be able to complete this season,” The Capitals said in a release. “We are disappointed by our players’ choice to interact in their hotel room and outside of team approved areas. We accept the NHL’s decision and once again will reiterate the COVID-19 Protocols in place to make sure the players are in full compliance moving forward.”
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2021
Another written statement came from Ovechkin, who said “I regret my choice to spend time together with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the locker room areas. I will learn more from this experience.”
Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Orlov and Samsonovfour are currently under quarantine.
On Friday, Coach Peter Laviolette told the media that one player tested positive for COVID-19 without identifying them.
The team will have their home opener against the Sabres today.
