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NHL's new COVID policy could spell trouble for Tyler Bertuzzi

He remains the lone unvaccinated NHL player.

Red Wings Feed

As of right now, the only unvaccinated player in the NHL remains Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who was barred from playing in games north of the Canadian border due to Canadian health regulations. And while the Red Wings supported their productive and gritty forward's personal choice, there could be a new option on the table for how they would deal with the situation moving forward, should they so choose.

Yesterday evening, the NHL announced a brand new policy that allows teams to suspend any unvaccinated player:

"As per the new policy, NHL teams can suspend unvaccinated players who are unable to participate in club activities due to their vaccination status. Teams can also require said players to forfeit the equivalent of one day’s pay for each day the player misses in line with local, provincial/state or federal health regulations."

The Red Wings expressed support for Bertuzzi, saying that it was his personal choice. 

"It's his decision," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said prior to the season. "I'm getting cliche now, but that's the world we live in today and I'm not in a position to force anyone. We can't force anyone to get vaccinated. I personally am vaccinated. My family is vaccinated. I'll leave it at that."

Bertuzzi, who did in fact test positive for the illness last season, remained steadfast in his decision, saying that he has "natural immunity now".

“There were a few days I was stuffy and didn’t really want to do any cardio," he explained of his experience with the illness. "I pretty much walked every day with my dog to the park and I tried to stay as active as I possibly could. “Obviously it sucks missing games, but it is what it is,” Bertuzzi said.