Devils’ Mackenzie Blackwood ends vaccine holdout, will be able to play in Canada

Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has received his archetypal COVID-19 shot, according to The Athletic, opening a process that volition fto him play games successful Canada and spot onerous protocols lifted erstwhile he’s 2 weeks past his 2nd dose.

Blackwood had said successful September that helium had “a mates wellness concerns, reasons wherefore I’m moving done it a small spot slower,” erstwhile asked his crushed for not getting it.

Since Blackwood is reportedly nether information for an Olympic call-up to Team Canada, helium would person needed to get the jab to spell to Beijing for the 2022 Games. As it stands, he’ll beryllium nether the NHL’s unvaccinated protocols until 2 weeks aft his 2nd shot. The Devils’ archetypal crippled crossed the borderline is Dec. 3 successful Winnipeg.

Four NHLers started the twelvemonth unvaccinated, including Blackwood. That number, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, is present down to 1 – Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi, who has already missed a crippled successful Montreal due to the fact that of his unvaccinated status, is the league’s aboriginal person successful goals with six.

Devils goalie Mackenzie BlackwoodGetty Images

Blackwood, who has asthma, contracted COVID-19 during past season, experiencing symptoms for respective weeks. He said it took until precocious successful the play to consciousness mean again.

After playing 35 games with a .902 prevention percent past season, Blackwood has yet to marque his 2021-22 debut.