99.89% vaccinated NHL cases over time

In the 2021-22 NHL season, 882 players played more than 10 games. At least 71% of those players sat out for COVID or an “unknown” illness. In fact, cases were so widespread that the NHL eliminating their testing rules mid-way through the season in embarrassment because, despite only one player in the league not being fully vaccinated, the vast majority of the players were infected.

After the testing requirements were lifted, most of the “unknown” illnesses occurred — which seems like a ploy to avoid isolation requirements. In other words, if a player was sick, don’t play them… but don’t test them either.

In total, 628 players were placed on COVID protocols or had to sit a game due to “unknown” illnesses. 129 players had to do so more than once. This does not include players that tested positive in the minor leagues or last season. Nor does it include players that were sick but played through games after testing requirements were kiboshed. It doesn’t account for players that tested positive over the summer. Nor does it include head coaches, assistant coaches, video coaches, family members, fans, mascots, beer boys, or pretzel wranglers, all of whom had to be fully vaccinated in most stadiums in the league.

At least one star, Leon Draistatl, is alleged to be playing with COVID in the playoffs right now. Notably, for games between Canadian and American franchises, teams are flying as near the border as possible, driving over it, then flying the rest of the way in order to avoid testing requirements with international flights.

One has to wonder whether 100% of players would have tested positive if testing requirements were not removed so early. Good thing the league followed the political science and pressured many players into getting vaccinated against their will and ostracized the one player that chose not to get vaccinated. Think of how bad the outbreak would have been without vaccines?