Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver in the Running to Host Stanley Cup Qualifiers

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the NHL season could resume in either Edmonton, Toronto, or Vancouver.

“Three Canadian cities are asking for [the right to host the Stanley Cup qualifiers],” Justin Trudeau told the press. “Obviously, the decision has to be made by the NHL and the cities and the provinces. Canada is open to it, as long as it is okayed by local health authorities.”

• NHL: Nassau Coliseum to Be Closed Indefinitely

Previously, the NHL said it would not hold matches in Canada if players had to go through a two-week quarantine, which is mandatory for everyone who enters the country. According to Trudeau, the border with the United States will continue to be closed at least until July 21. Exceptions will only be made for emergency trips. At the same time, it became known that the ban does not apply to NHL players who enter the country to join their teams. 

The NHL previously announced that ten cities are currently in the running to host the qualifiers and the playoffs. In addition to Edmonton, Vancouver, and Toronto, seven cities from the United States are competing for the two spots, namely Chicago, Dallas, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Pittsburgh.

Twelve teams from the Eastern Conference will gather in one city, and twelve teams from the Western Conference will gather in the other.