How WJC pandemic issues are impacting the Rangers

The pandemic is making a mess of the WJC and it is affecting the New York Rangers

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a lot of problems for the teams in the World Junior Championships and some New York Rangers prospects are being affected. Two top prospects are unable to play while one other Blueshirts prospect has been added to the Team USA roster.

The latest Ranger prospect to be ruled out is defenseman Matthew Robertson of the Edmonton Oil Kings.   Hockey Canada released Robertson and four other players as “unfit to continue to play based on return-to-play protocols.”    It doesn’t mean that Robertson has the virus, but he could have been exposed to someone who does have it.   The players had to leave the selection camp in Red Deer, Alberta.

Over the weekend, prospect Karl Henriksson of Team Sweden was forced out after testing positive.  Henriksson was supposed to be center on the top line between Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz.  His loss is a big blow to Sweden’s hopes for a medal.  To make matters worse, Team Sweden has lost winger William Eklund, projected to be a top pick in the 2021 draft along with blueliner William Wallinder, picked #32 overall by Detroit in October.

Another issue for Sweden is the fact that their coach,Tomas Monten, and two assistant coaches have tested positive and they are scrambling to find replacements who can meet pandemic protocols.

Sweden has won an amazing 48 straight preliminary round games over 13 years and their pandemic issues could end that streak. Losing those key players and their position in a tough bracket could be the issue.

Hunter Skinner gets a chance

Three players from Boston University vying for slots on Team USA are being sent home after another  BU player tested positive and the school paused its season.  Their misfortune is actually good news for the Rangers.  Defense prospect Hunter Skinner, who plays for the London Knights of the OHL, was recruited to report to the selection camp in Plymouth, Michigan last Sunday.

Skinner joins forward Brett Berard as the two New York Rangers prospects on the preliminary Team USA roster.   The final roster will be announced this Sunday.

The schedule

The pandemic protocol is that any player or team personnel who test positive after November 29 will not be allowed into the bubble.  That accounts for the players who have been ruled unable to participate.  All teams are in their own training camp environments, but it’s clear that they are having COVID-19 issues.

All nine international teams are supposed to arrive in Edmonton on Sunday, December 13.  Upon arrival, all personnel in the bubble are to be quarantined for five days while being tested daily.

Once they get the go ahead, there will be exhibition games on December 20-23 and the tournament is due to begin on December 25.

Even the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is not immune.Earlier this week,  IIHF president Rene Fasel revealed that he had tested positive.  The next few days will be key as there is a minimum of eight teams needed in order for the tournament to proceed. Team Sweden is the one team whose participation could be in jeopardy.

Ranger prospects who could play

Despite the loss of Robertson and Henriksson, the Rangers still have four players who could participate.

Team USA:  Forward Brett Berard and defenseman Hunter Skinner

Team Canada:  Defenseman Braden Schneider

Team Finland:  Forward Leevi Aaltonen

As for Robertson, he may be able to report to the Rangers training camp when it begins in January.  He participated last year and was impressive, earning an Entry Level Contract.  Henriksson will continue to play for Frölunda in the Swedish Hockey League once he has recovered.