These few weeks dealing with a global pandemic have been terrifying on a worldwide scale — especially when sports, which many of us use to cope with reality, are postponed.
But at the same time, this unprecedented event has shown us how willing certain folks are to step up and help each other. Count the Carolina Hurricanes in as helpers. They announced Tuesday they will compensate PNC Arena and Hurricanes event staff for wages lost due to the NHL season’s pause.
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The Athletic spoke with team president and GM Don Waddell on the phone Tuesday about that process, how he sees the rest of the season playing out and how injured Canes players are progressing.
First of all, how are you doing? What are you doing to stay busy?
We’ve actually had a lot of work to do, and now we can focus on some of the business side of some things I’ve kept on the back burner. Right now we’re working on the new practice facility, then obviously, we’re working on our building lease extension on (PNC Arena).
What were you thinking when members of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19, knowing the Hurricanes were in such close proximity?
First of all, I knew it was just a matter of time before an athlete got it. This isn’t a virus that is just going to avoid an athlete — or anyone. When we hear that, obviously, you want to take all the precautionary actions you can. We obviously didn’t know they tested positive until a few days later — we found out in Jersey. The hotel assured us everything was washed and clean. Our doctor (Josh Bloom) said it’s less than 1th of a tenth of one-thousandth percent chance (the Hurricanes would actually get the virus) — very slim but was a chance. I talked to both John (Forslund) and Zack (Brame) yesterday and they’re feeling as they normally would.
From there, what was the decision-making process like in terms of canceling the season?
We were hoping we could get through a few more games. Obviously, the more games you can play, the better for the league. But we knew once that player tested positive it was (done). Once that happened it then becomes higher visibility for the rest of the leagues.
What was the timeline leading up to the decision to compensate arena employees?
Tom (Dundon) and I talked last Thursday (right when the season was “paused”).
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I said, “Tom, I don’t know if we want to talk about this right now, but we have a lot of people who this is their livelihood, then the part-time employees work these extra hours.” My staff that handles that had to figure out who was on the schedule for what games, a lot of spreadsheets and (figuring specifics out). We finally came up with it late last night — here’s what we have, let’s pay everyone for the games they were going to work, etc.
(Dundon) took about three seconds and said, “Let’s do it.”
I know some players stepped up in the effort to compensate workers. I was wondering if you knew specifics about who or what they were planning to do.
I don’t have all the particulars right now. (Captain) Jordan Staal reached out and said that if the Hurricanes were going to do something, he’d like to have the players contribute. They’ve (collectively) contributed to a dollar amount, and that shows the true character of our organization.
Tom’s writing the big check.
What’s your personal opinion on how the rest of the season should play out?
You want to play as many games as you can, because that’s best for the league. But that’s thinking 45 or so days, realistically. I’m always on the positive side in thinking we’re gonna get back, but you always listen to the experts — and the most important thing is the Stanley Cup playoffs. The most focal point is on the playoffs. If we have to bypass regular-season games and go to the playoffs? So be it.
As unfortunate as all this is, could there be a silver lining in how the injured Hurricanes players are progressing?
For sure, Dougie Hamilton, now, 12 weeks he’ll be coming up here soon (in recovery) — and I can see him back as soon as early April. He’ll be back on the ice and working his way back. Brett Pesce, I don’t think it will matter a whole lot (because the recovery timeline is too long).
James Reimer and Sami Vatanen were getting close as it was.
(Photo of Don Waddell: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)