BLOG: Oilers players hit the ice as Phase 2 begins
Phase 2 #Phase2
EDMONTON, AB – It was a sight for sore eyes.
Oilers players hit the ice at Rogers Place on Monday for the first time since they hosted the Winnipeg Jets on March 11, the night before the 2019-20 season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Video: Phase 2 Begins 06.08.20
Matt Benning, Alex Chiasson, Kris Russell, Tyler Benson and Stuart Skinner took part in an on-ice session as Phase 2 of the NHL’s Return To Play Plan officially began, with teams permitted to open their facilities for small groups of players to train on a voluntary basis.
Benning participated in a video conference with media following the first Phase 2 training session, discussing his feelings on returning to Rogers Place for the first time in nearly three months, COVID-19 testing he and his teammates underwent, this summer’s potential playoffs and more.
Video: RAW | Benning 06.08.20
Phase 2 will run until at least July 10, which is the earliest date the NHL has earmarked for the start of Phase 3, which includes training camps, the best-of-five Qualifying Round that would see Edmonton face Chicago, and the ensuing Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The current phase is optional for players, who are welcome to continue their training at other locations. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins told 630 CHED on Friday he plans on sticking to his routine in Vancouver, along with teammate Jujhar Khaira, for the next few weeks at least.