Setting the record straight: Why Caleb Jones revealed his COVID-19 test

Wanting to quell gossip and “set the record straight” after some early training camp absences, Caleb Jones bucked the standard course of action many of his NHL peers have taken.

The Oilers rookie defenceman began his media availability Friday after his first full practice with his teammates by revealing he had tested positive for COVID-19. The positive test, he said, came when he returned to Edmonton from Dallas in anticipation of the start of Phase 2.

Jones said he was asymptomatic from the time he tested positive through to the start of camp Monday, which coincided with the end of his 14-day quarantine period. Although Jones didn’t participate in practices during the first three days, he spent time doing drills with the black aces and assistant coaches afterward.

By disclosing his result, Jones became just the third NHL player whose positive coronavirus test has become public. Ottawa’s Jayce Hawryluk and Toronto’s Auston Matthews are the others.

Matthews’s case was first reported by Postmedia’s Steve Simmons. The Athletic’s policy is not to disclose a player’s identity without confirmation from the player or the team.

“I just thought I would set the record straight and let everyone know what the situation was and why I took a little time to get on the ice for practice,” Jones said.

The NHL has been releasing its COVID-19 testing results on Mondays. There were 30 positive cases among more than 600 players in Phase 2 – roughly 5 percent – as of July 13, when Phase 3 began. The league was aware of 13 additional cases outside of the Phase 2 protocol (players training in their offseason markets).

Almost all those positive cases have been kept anonymous. That was something players wanted to continue from training camp through the conclusion of the playoffs, special assistant to the NHLPA executive director Mathieu Schneider said last week.

So, the official word from the Oilers was Jones was “unfit to practice” though he then skated after the main session concluded.

Not having the full story on the record didn’t sit well with Jones though.

“There was a bit of speculation for why I was missing the first couple days of training camp. These things happen,” Jones said. “There are guys all around the league that are getting positive tests. It wasn’t like I was very sick. I was lucky enough to not even really realize that I would have had it.”

Jones said he’d been skating in Dallas for roughly a month before he made the trip north to Edmonton. The plan was to arrive a couple of weeks ahead of training camp, take a COVID-19 test, quarantine for the required seven days and then get a few on-ice sessions in with teammates before training camp.

The 23-year-old was stunned when a presumed negative test turned up positive. The quarantine period doubled, and Jones couldn’t visit the Oilers rink until camp opened Monday.

“I couldn’t tell you where I got it. I know Texas was having a lot of cases, but I have no idea,” he said. “I was asymptomatic. It was a surprise. I didn’t have anything.”

Jones’s symptom-free case is Exhibit A for why all players, coaches and team personnel are being tested every other day during training camp and daily once they enter the bubble.

Though it’s believed Jones contracted the virus outside of Edmonton, the positive test only further emphasized how important it is to follow the league-mandated protocols at the rink.

“I can’t speak for any other locations, but I think our guys have done a fantastic job,” Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. “Players have come to understand this is the way we have to do things. I haven’t heard any grumbling about anything.

“Knock on wood. We had the one case where Caleb came from Dallas. Other than that, we’ve been COVID-free in the room. Hopefully, we can stay that way.”

“We have a lot of strict rules around the rink here,” Jones added. “They’re doing everything they can. It’s very safe for all the players here and the staff and everyone that’s gonna be in that bubble. Everyone’s very confident with what the NHL has in place.”

Jones was confined to lifting dumbbells and riding a stationary bike instead of lacing up his skates before Monday. He was desperately trying to stay active and fit ahead of camp.

Tippett said Jones was cleared for contact Monday, but everyone felt it was better to ease him back into the swing of things. The coach suggested Jones might participate in a scrimmage on Saturday.

At that point, it’s expected the competition for the last defensive pairing will begin. Kris Russell and Matt Benning have been a duo throughout the week. Jones skated on the right side with 2019 first-round pick Philip Broberg for both practice sessions on Friday as the Oilers split into two groups for the first time.

“It’s good to have him back,” Tippett said.

Jones will second that notion.

He had no idea anything was wrong with him until he arrived in Edmonton. Now that he’s beaten his bout with the coronavirus, he’s aiming to move on and help the Oilers.

“It’s a very weird disease. It’s a weird time in the world right now,” Jones said. “Some people get really affected by it and it can be deadly. Other people would never know they had it; I was lucky enough to be in that group. If I would have never gotten tested, I would never have realized I had it.

“I’m glad to be healthy. I’m feeling good getting back on the ice.”

Social media was abuzz Thursday evening as parts of Rogers Place – one of the two NHL playoff hub arena – looked like it was underwater during a severe storm.

Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom was at teammate Adam Larsson’s house when he saw what looked like major destruction come across Twitter. Klefbom couldn’t believe it.

“We saw the tweets and the videos. We were scared,” he said. “We thought it was a sign (from above) – first COVID and then this. It’s crazy. We just want to finish the season. I think we have a really good chance to go all the way.”

Oilers Entertainment Group released an update Friday, saying the damage was “due to significant water flow, mixed with hail, which led to excess pressure on the facility’s storm drainage system causing two pipe couplings to fail.”

There was also minor wind damage to the parapet flashing on the roof of Rogers Place, according to the organization.

The pipe couplings are said to be located above the terminus of Ford Hall and on the mezzanine level corridor on the southwest side of the building. Water was being pumped out of an area across the street from the main arena entrance midway Friday.

“The water damage is restricted to those two areas of the building, with the terminus experiencing more significant water damage,” the statement read.

The incident is not expected to impact Edmonton’s ability to host games.

“The whole team was relieved when we came to the rink today,” Klefbom said. “We’re not as affected as I thought we would be. We’re just gonna stay focused and do our job every day.”

(Photo: Curtis Comeau / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)