Tense five weeks end without a hitch in Toronto NHL bubble

From the day that 12 teams checked into two hotels, to the departure of the last surviving Islanders or Flyers, it was a tense five weeks to keep the NHL’s Toronto bubble from breaking. But league and local civic officials could let out a huge sigh of relief Saturday night. Pending final results, there were no positive COVID-19 tests among the estimated 700 players, support members and NHL staff that began this massive sleepover, thus no spread to the general public. “We were prepared for the worst and ready for all the 24/7 issues that might arise,” said Dean Matsuzaki, executive vice-president of NHL Events, as Game 7 began. “In hindsight, knock on wood, it did go quite smoothly. “We’ve been able to maintain a bubble very well and worked pretty hard the past week on (Covid prevention) reminders to everyone. This is the time when people get complacent. With charter flights coming up as we move everything to Edmonton, we wanted to keep everyone on their toes.” Matsuzaki and his New York-based team usually run events such as the NHL’s outdoor game, draft or all-star weekend and are used to time away in hotels. But they’ve been sequestered in the Royal York Hotel and Hotel X since July 14, a couple of weeks before the memorable day 11 teams dropped into Pearson Airport to join the host Maple Leafs. “All came by charter and we assigned landing times to ensure a bit of space and staggering of arrivals,” Matsuzaki recalled. “Different teams meant different travel geography so that worked out well.” Then came the task of getting them checked in, familiarized with the no-go zones around their lodgings. Seven teams, all participating in the opening best-of-five ‘play-in’ round, were at the staid Royal York with its dedicated walkway to Scotiabank Arena, while teams playing round-robin games were at the CNE grounds at the modern Hotel X. “Our biggest challenge was making sure there we had everything in place; the perimeter, security, transportation, Matsuzaki said. “We had staff at both properties to help with odd requests or items that teams forgot or players forgot from home. We were able to accommodate different needs, whether they were pharmaceutical or this or that small thing. We had a good network set up. “We tried to anticipate all their needs, based on the range (of ages, from teens to 43-year-old Zdeno Chara). There was nothing too strange they requested. (Younger) players had their video game machines or creature comforts they wanted. Some players wanted air fans for their rooms; fairly easy things to source.” Once a day, everyone in the bubble had a Covid test, though it was the less invasive lower nasal swab and soon became routine, another small price to pay for a chance at the Stanley Cup. “We worked closely in protocols with the Ministry of Health, Toronto Public Health and Halton Region Health,” added Matsuzaki. Lauren Wolman and Katie Dillon of the NHL Events and workers from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment teamed up to give players a variety of diversions around the hotels such as bocce, pickleball and some activities at BMO Field, which was empty of TFC and Argos players. A golf simulator was set up and a movie house created at Hotel X. Some teams dreamed up their own entertainment, the Isles setting up a ping pong table on their floor and holding a tournament. “We did do off-site excursions, but kept them really low key, due to the nature of protecting everybody,” Matsuzaki said, “a few golf excursions to Glen Abbey, some kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding at Ontario Place.” Restricted to buses a chunk of the day for practice and morning skates in the West End at the Ford Performance Centre was the hardest for players as they watched the rest of the city enjoying itself on sunny days through August. Thus, getting to the Abbey in Oakville for a few teams toward the end of the Toronto games was a welcome break. But many in the GTA want to golf, too, as one of the few Covid-free past-times. “We had to put protocols in place with empty foursomes in front and behind to maintain distancing,” Matsuzaki said. “We had a remote drop off in a parking lot where all carts were sanitized and ready to go. There was no access for us to the pro shop, and separate rest rooms for the players (after the front nine holes). Certainly a lot more logistics than your usual round of golf.” Matsuzaki realizes the remaining players were getting homesick and missing family towards the end. “There has been some down time for players, but the schedule has been compact enough that when there has been a day off, there hasn’t been too much time to get out of hockey mode. “Last Sunday when the games ended, every series was at 3-1. Those on our staff who aren’t going to Edmonton were talking about being done Tuesday night and home for the whole Labour Day Weekend. Then there were three Game 7’s. But that’s okay.”