Wildcats cancel two more games
Published Thursday November 5th, 2009
17 players experiencing flu-like symptoms; team still hopes to make it to Quebec next week
The Moncton Wildcats have been forced to postpone their next two games as most of the team battles flu-like symptoms and two players have confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.
Two home games, one scheduled for tonight against the Val-d'Or Foreurs and another tomorrow against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, have been postponed. This past Sunday's game against the Montreal Juniors was also postponed.
The team held a press conference yesterday to announce the two latest postponements.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club confirmed to the Times & Transcript on Tuesday that two of its players were afflicted with the H1N1 flu. Team doctor Martin Robichaud says 15 other players are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are suspected to have the virus as well.
None have been hospitalized, but all 17 players are under a seven-day quarantine in the homes of their Moncton billets for now. The quarantines started for each the day they first started to notice symptoms.
"The worst-case scenario came through in some senses," Wildcats general manager Bill Schurman said of the situation yesterday. "However, no one has been hospitalized, they're mild cases generally speaking, and we're looking forward to a safe and speedy recovery."
Robichaud, Schurman and Wildcats governor and president of the QMJHL board of governors Jean Brousseau spoke at yesterday's press conference.
While the decision to cancel the three hockey games was not taken lightly by the league, Brousseau said the Cats simply do not have enough players to take to the ice.
Schurman says the team has been trying to contact affiliate players in other leagues in hopes of putting together a full, healthy team by next week. The Wildcats are scheduled to play the Rimouski Océanic on Tuesday in Quebec, a game that is still on for now.
The Wildcats received the H1N1 vaccine last Friday, the same day some players began to experience flu-like symptoms.
Robichaud says the vaccine can take up to 10 days before it takes full effect, and someone can contract H1N1 but not notice symptoms for several days.
This past Sunday, the team was forced to cancel its game against Montreal when it determined that only 11 players were able to take the ice.
League rules stipulate teams must have 16 players, including two goaltenders, to play a game.
That game has been tentatively rescheduled for Jan. 12 at the Coliseum. The team is trying to reschedule the other games as well.
And while there are seven healthy, injury-free Cats remaining, the team's doctor says there is no way to predict if the remaining players could still get sick.
In the meantime, the team is in wait-and-see mode while the sick players recuperate.
"We have to do this a day at a time," Schurman says. "It's something we've never gone through before. We've got great people around us, advising us. We've got homes providing the care that our players require and we're just going to, with a lot of prayers, hope everything works itself out by the first of the week."
The team's GM says those affected are experiencing typical flu-like symptoms of nausea, weakness and fever.
Some Wildcats players' symptoms are starting to clear up, but in the meantime, there's no telling exactly when they'll be fit and healthy enough to play.
"The first day back on the job, whether it be school, work, or in this case, athletic endeavours, you're not going to be 100 per cent for a period of time, so we're not sure what the effect will be," Schurman says. "We're down to seven healthy skaters and one injured player that's not affected by this."
Because most of the players are not from this area, Wildcats management contacted each of their families earlier this week to explain what was going on and let the families know their children were being well taken care of.
It's not known at this point if the H1N1 flu is affecting other QMJHL teams.
Jean Brousseau said he understands that the Wildcats are the team currently experiencing the most difficulty with the virus, but he would not comment on whether it is affecting any other QMJHL teams.
There are a variety of options available to ticket holders for the three cancelled Wildcats games.
Season ticket holders may redeem their tickets for the three games for any regular season games, including weekend games.
General purchase tickets can be held for rescheduled games, exchanged at the Moncton Coliseum box office for any other regular season game or returned to the box office for a full refund.
Group bookings, birthdays and special events will be contacted directly regarding their tickets.
* For additional information on tickets, contact the Wildcats' office at 382-5555 or info@moncton-wildcats.com
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