The 2019-20 NHL regular season is on hold. The league will suspend play for all 31 teams starting on Thursday in response to the continued outbreak of the coronavirus around the United States, Canada and the world.

The league released the following statement:

“In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019‑20 season beginning with tonight’s games.

“The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures. However, following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus – and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point – it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time.

“We will continue to monitor all the appropriate medical advice, and we will encourage our players and other members of the NHL community to take all reasonable precautions – including by self-quarantine, where appropriate. Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup. Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy.”

The NHL’s goal is to continue to evaluate the situation and resume play when deemed appropriate.

The NHL’s decision followed the NBA’s move to suspend its schedule on Wednesday night when Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the postponement of a game between the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The NHL regular season was scheduled to end on Saturday, April 4, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin the following week. A timeline for when and how play could resume has not been made clear.

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The league’s Board of Governors met on Thursday, when the suspension was made official.

The NHL did not take action on Wednesday night in wake of the NBA’s decision, electing to take more time while conversations continued between the league and the NHLPA. Morning skates around the league were cancelled on Thursday.

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Prior to suspending games, the NHL had already altered its media policies, restricting reporters from locker rooms.

The San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets were also set to play home games without fans in the coming days and weeks, based on local mandates around the teams’ arenas.

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