On Wednesday, Vegas Golden Knights goalkeeper Robin Lehner called out the NHL, saying the league is not staying true to previous promises surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations. Lehner claims the league told players that if they got vaccinated, the restrictions would be relaxed, but that has not been the case.
Lehner says the NHL forced players to get the coronavirus vaccine and they were misled by the changes that would be made if they agreed to it.
Following Lehner’s comments, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN that no such promises had been made to the league’s players.
“It is an issue that has been raised and discussed between us and the NHLPA, but no decision to change or communicated to anyone has ever been made,” Daly told ESPN.
The NHL Players Association said the 2021 season was going to be tough and they had to adjust the COVID-19 protocols along the way. The competition maintains that there was never a direct correlation between getting the vaccine and the relaxation of protocols.
Lehner claimed that even though NHL players have been vaccinated, they are still treated as if they were “trapped in a prison.”
The Golden Knights goalkeeper added that he was concerned about what the limitations could mean for mental health, saying as someone with a bipolar diagnosis that isolation is something he was told not to do. Lehner says the league chooses “competitive advantage” over the treatment of players.
Lehner said:
“At some point, we have to start looking at the mental health of people around us, not just the NHL, but everyone in society, and see how we can get back to normal because the problem is getting huge. But against us. lying about things that turn into sort of forcing us to take the vaccine. Unacceptable. And now that we’ve taken the vaccine, we have the excuse to say, “No, we’re not changing because of competitive advantage.” It’s outrageous. “
He continued, saying: “ They told me yesterday that they are investigating all the teams to see who has taken the vaccine and who has not taken the vaccines, and that they will only change the rules for us as players. the players have the vaccine at the same time, so it is not a competitive advantage. “
Lehner said the latest news was driving him “crazy.” He clarified some of his comments on Twitter and continues to emphasize the importance of mental health.
In February, the league sent a memo to those in the league, including coaches and staff, stating that they would “stay at home and not leave except to attend training sessions or games or perform essential activities.” They also said that families of the players should limit time outside the home to reduce the likelihood of exposure.