Sharks coach Thompson forced to leave team following new NHL’s protocol

On Thursday, Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman broke the story on the NHL’s new COVID protocol, which states that there is a mechanism in place for teams to suspend unvaccinated players who are “unable to participate in club activities.”

It also states that “Any person whose job, role, position or access entails or entitles them to have personal interactions (within 12 feet) of club hockey operations personnel (including players) must be fully vaccinated.”

This prompted the San Jose Sharks to announced that associate coach Rocky Thompson is no longer serving as a member of them. This is how Thompson explained it. 

“Due to a medical exemption that prevents me from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, under the new League protocols, I am not permitted to fulfill my duties on the Sharks coaching staff at this time,” said Thompson. “I will have no further comment on this matter.”

The Sharks added that they will be announcing a replacement for Thompson in the near future.