Flames' Travis Hamonic becomes first NHL player to opt out of Return To Play

Share

Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic became the first NHL player to opt out of the league's Return To Play plan, which includes a 24-team playoff beginning Aug. 1, on Friday night.

Hamonic, 29, said in a statement that the decision was based on his daughter contracting a serious respiratory virus last year.

"Due to what my daughter already has gone through and the concerns if she were to catch COVID-19, I've decided to opt out and seek a leave of absence from the Calgary Flames for the remainder of the playoffs," the defenseman said.

Hamonic had three goals and nine assists in 50 games this season before the NHL paused on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Blackhawks news and analysis.

The Flames are scheduled to play the Winnipeg Jets in a best-of-five play-in series beginning Aug. 1 in Edmonton.

Team training camps leading up to postseason play begin on Monday.

Players have until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to declare they are opting out.

Contact Us