With updated COVID-19 protocols in Santa Clara County forcing the 49ers to pick up and move to Arizona to continue operations for the next few weeks, the Sharks remain unclear about whether the organization will be able to begin training camp in San Jose. Given that the NHL is yet to iron out a schedule for training camp and the upcoming season, the team said in a statement Monday they are continuing to weigh options and gather information but haven't made any final decisions.
“The National Hockey League has not confirmed a start date for a full NHL training camp or for the start of the 2020-21 NHL regular season," the statement reads. "Until we have additional information regarding those dates, it is premature to speculate on how the revised health directives from Santa Clara County will affect the San Jose Sharks plans to prepare for the upcoming season."
The 49ers will be hosting their Week 13 and 14 games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. after the county's newest health and safety ordinances around the COVID-19 pandemic banned high school, college and professional sports teams from holding practices or games.
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"Over the last several weeks, a limited number of players have been engaged in voluntary, socially-distanced, individual rehabilitation and training in San Jose. Based on the revised County directives, those activities will have to be modified to comply with the health order. We are reviewing what options may be available locally to allow these players to receive rehabilitation treatment and continue their training for the upcoming season."
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Santa Clara County's ban will go through Dec. 21 at least. San Jose does operate several arenas in neighboring Alameda County, but like Santa Clara, Alameda is under the "purple" tier of COVID-19 restrictions.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that he expects another rise in cases following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, so it remains to be seen when and where the Sharks can begin a standard training camp.