Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi is the NHL's only player who remains unvaccinated against Covid-19. Yesterday, the Wings put Bertuzzi in "Covid protocol" status.
Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi (File photo)
It's unclear what prompts the designation, but it translates to Bertuzzi being out for 10 days, or five games. Under NHL rules, he will not be paid for those games.
Covid protocol is the league's policy for unvaccinated players, and restricts them from much movement outside team hotels and arenas during road games and requires daily testing.
Bertuzzi is the third Wings player to enter protocol this season. Dylan Larkin was pulled from the Nov. 16 game at Dallas when a test came back positive, but further testing revealed it to be a false positive. Defenseman Danny DeKeyser entered protocol before the Thanksgiving Eve game.
Bertuzzi is a top-line player and has nine goals and nine assists in 20 games. His unvaccinated status means he cannot travel to Canada under current border restrictions, so he missed two games at Montreal and one at Toronto. The Wings lost all three.
Bertuzzi described it as a "life choice" not to get the vaccine. Bertuzzi announced on Instagram in September that he and his fiancee are expecting a baby in March.
