San Jose Sharks winger Marcus Sorensen has been added to the NHL’s COVID-19 list and was unavailable to play in Friday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sorensen, 28, joins Tomas Hertl as the two Sharks players on the list. Hertl first appeared on the list Feb. 24, leading the Sharks and the NHL to close the team’s practice facility, cancel practice for two days and postpone their scheduled Feb. 25 game with the Golden Knights.
It was later discovered that Hertl hard tested positive for the coronavirus. He remains in isolation and unavailable to play at least the middle of next week.
Reasons for a player appearing on the NHL’s COVID list include an initial positive test that remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed, mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals, or required quarantine as a high-risk close contact.
Players can also be put on the list due to isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the league’s protocol.
Friday morning, the Sharks practiced at SAP Center and came out for pregame warmups as normal. Sorensen practiced Thursday and was projected at that time to play on a line with Joel Kellman and Kurtis Gabriel. Friday, Matt Nieto played with Kellman and Gabriel.
Sorensen, who is in his fifth season with the Sharks, has one goal and one assist in 15 games this year. He’s averaged 11 minutes and 38 seconds of ice time per game this season.