NHL announces July 10 as target date for opening of training camps

The resumption of the 2019-20 NHL season is becoming more real by the day.

The NHL announced Thursday that it has agreed with the Players’ Association on July 10 as the target date for Phase 3 of the “Return to Play” plan, which would be a full training camp and the final step before beginning the 24-team tournament that was approved last month.

“The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) announced today that formal training camps (Phase 3) for the 24 teams resuming play will open on Friday, July 10, provided that medical and safety conditions allow and the parties have reached an overall agreement on resuming play,” the statement read.

“The length of training camp and, therefore, the start date for formal resumption of play (Phase 4) will be determined at a future date.”

The NHL began Phase 2 on Monday, which allowed teams to reopen their practice facilities for small-group activities of six players or fewer.

That will continue for the next month, with players gradually trickling in from locations around the world. All players must pass a COVID-19 test before they’re allowed to participate, and a previous statement from the league indicated that players who are “returning to the Club’s home city by public transportation, including commercial air or rail travel, must serve a 14-day self-quarantine period post-travel before engaging in training activities at their Club’s facility.”

The two hub cities where the games will take place once Phase 4 begins have still yet to be announced.

Read more at usatoday.com