Hurricanes play-by-play announcer potentially exposed to COVID-19

When Rudy Gobert of the NBA's Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19, it proved just how susceptible everyone truly was to the invasive virus, that up until recently, was only an issue on foreign soil. Given the fact that the NBA and the NHL share several arenas around North America, it seems logical to assume that it was/is only a matter of time before NHL players and off-ice personnel were/are exposed to the potentially dangerous and highly contagious virus. As it turns out, the potential exposure has already occurred.

A popular hotel in Detroit that often plays host to a litany of professional athletes was the location where the Utah Jazz chose to reside during their trip to "Motown" to take on the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately for the Carolina Hurricanes, who were also in Detroit to take on the Red Wings, they checked into the same hotel just 24-hours after the Jazz checked out. One member of the Canes organization actually stayed in the same room as Gobert. That member is play-by-play announcer John Forslund.

Mike Sundheim, vice president of Hurricanes communications and team services reached out to Forslund the moment he found out about the situation to inform him. In a recent interview with The Athletic's Sara Civian, Forslund shared his story of the potentially alarming events.

“Mike told me I might've stayed in the same room as (Gobert) and because of that we're gonna make some changes. He said, ‘You're still gonna fly with us.' Then I got on the phone with Dr. Josh Bloom, and he said to just be extra aware of things.

“Enough time elapsed between when (Gobert) left and when I got in the room that (Forslund) should be all right,” Sundheim and experts said. “We're just gonna take the precautions.”

“I don't have symptoms, so that's good — and I am not alone in this,” Forslund said. “To a lot of people, my day is normal. I have a set routine, and it didn't change. I just figured once the NHL settled it, (we) would have to follow suit.”

At this point, it is unclear whether Forslund dodged a bullet or that he is simply an asymptomatic carrier of the virus. In either case, the fact that he and the team are taking the proper precautions is promising news. Testing is no doubt in Forslund's near future, and likewise, the rest of the team's.

Given the NHL's decision to postpone the season, it's probable that vigorous and far-reaching testing is the next step for the league, its officials and its players. At that point, the league, along with its board of governors will re-assess in two or three weeks. As Canes owner Tom Dundon points out, however, we may not be thinking logically if we are assuming this situation will be resolved in a matter of a few short weeks.

“I think it's gonna take longer to sort this out. And this isn't the NHL's position, this is me looking at life. Two to three weeks is probably not realistic.”

It's hard to argue with his logic, given the fact that just a few weeks ago, COVID-19 was not a real concern for athletes in North America. How quickly things change.

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