Leafs release statement after report Auston Matthews tested positive for COVID-19

The Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to release a public statement after a report from the Toronto Sun that star forward Auston Matthews had tested positive for COVID-19 while training in Arizona. The statement was released to media Friday evening.

"Per the National Hockey League protocol with respect to COVID-19, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be commenting on reports surrounding testing for any of the club's players or staff. A person's medical information in this regard is private. The club will refer to the NHL's policy on handling the disclosure of positive test results, in that the league will provide updates on a regular basis with aggregate totals of the number of tests conducted and number of positive tests reported without disclosing the identities of affected clubs or players," said the team in its statement.

The reality is, if Matthews had not tested positive for COVID-19, the team would simply call the report false and that would be the end of it. It is worth noting, however, that Steve Simmons, the reporter who broke the story, is taking a beating on Twitter. In fact, at the time this article was written, he was the number one trending topic on Twitter in Canada. Matthews has become the first NHL player to have a positive test for COVID-19 revealed without his consent.

"I don't know any names of any NHL players that tested positive for COVID-19 other than Auston Matthews. That speaks to the fact that Steve Simmons has absolutely no morals or integrity," said one Twitter user.

"Hockey should socially distance from Steve Simmons," said another.

While revealing Matthews' name without his consent when it comes to private medical information may lack integrity, it would likely not be considered illegal. However, none of the other big name sports broadcaster in Canada (TSN, Sportsnet, etc.) have released any information on Matthews or even mentioned his name in respect to this positive test. Take from that what you will.

The only other NHL player to have his name revealed in the media in regards to a positive COVID-19 test would be Jayce Hawryluk of the Ottawa Senators. He agreed to do an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press from his home in Manitoba, where he talked about his recovery from the illness.

Simmons has not made any further comment on the article, despite what must be numerous mentions in his Twitter feed.

MUST READ

10 minutes ago  |  By Danny Potvin A major controversy breaks out after Canadiens-Sabres Game 4

39 minutes ago  |  By Danny Potvin Oilers ownership stuns fans with controversial Stan Bowman decision

1 hour ago  |  By Danny Potvin A doctor's assessment of Ryan Poehling after this dirty late hit is alarming

4 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Concerning news for the Ducks just dropped and the timing couldn't be worse

5 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Behind-the-scenes info on the Oilers coaching change finally leaked and it's a stunner

6 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Frightening injury just happened during the Habs vs Sabres game

6 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Fresh details about Alex Ovechkin's future just leaked and it's a stunner

7 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet McAvoy in deep trouble and the suspension is only the beginning

MORE STORIES