Bertuzzi will be the only Red Wing without COVID-19 vaccine in training ground

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The Detroit Red Wings will not give forward Tyler Bertuzzi the Zac Rinaldo treatment.

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On the eve of training camp, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman informed the media that Bertuzzi, 26, did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We have all of our players vaccinated except for Tyler Bertuzzi, who has chosen not to get vaccinated,” Yzerman said.

The Columbus Blue Jackets chose not to bring Rinaldo to training camp because he chose not to get vaccinated. Instead, Columbus President John Davidson chose to send Rinaldo, who signed a two-way contract, to the American Hockey League and said the 67 players at the camp would all be vaccinated.

Yzerman said that wouldn’t be the case for Bertuzzi, who signed a new two-year contract in August and had already reported to Traverse City, Michigan for training camp.

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“It’s your decision,” Yzerman said. “This is the world we live in and I am not in a position to force anyone to get vaccinated.

“I personally am, my family is and I leave it that way. I respect the fact that he has a choice and has made it. “
However, Bertuzzi’s decision will have an impact on the Red Wings because unvaccinated people cannot cross the border into Canada and Detroit has nine road games scheduled north of the border.

“As it is now, the Canadian border will not be allowed into Canada at the moment,” Yzerman said. “Does that change or not? I have no idea, but as of now, under Canadian law, I guess I wouldn’t be able to cross the border. So I couldn’t play any games in Canada.

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“Tyler will follow the protocols for unvaccinated players, which is more significant from now on and for the foreseeable future, he cannot enter Canada unless he is vaccinated. So obviously it will be a problem when we go to play Canadian teams. “

Yzerman also said Bertuzzi will have to hide in the ice and will need to socially distance himself from other players while exercising.

“The world is not going to be the same as 18 months ago,” Yzerman said in reference to before the pandemic.

Bertuzzi, 6-foot-1, 199-pound, played just nine games for the Red Wings last season with back problems that forced him to sideline and eventually required surgery.

Yzerman said Bertuzzi and captain Dylan Larkin, who saw his season come to an early end due to a neck injury, will be on the ice and clear for contact by the start of camp, but he’s not expecting anything crazy.

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“There is no prohibited contact,” Yzerman said.

Forward Jakub Vrana, who came from Washington in the Anthony Mantha trade, will be the only player missing from camp Thursday.

“I was hoping to be on a plane (Tuesday) and I was hoping to be on a plane (Wednesday),” said Yzerman, who noted that it was related to the visa. “It’s kind of day-to-day.”

Yzerman said prospect Jonatan Berggren has a minor upper body injury and will not skate Thursday. Lucas Raymond has a minor lower body injury, but will skid. Both were injured during the team’s prospects tournament last weekend.

The Red Wings camp roster features 35 forwards, 20 defenders and seven goalkeepers with Yzerman hoping some of the young players are ready to make the jump to the NHL, but he’s not sure if that will mean more points in the rankings this time. season.

“I hope our record is better than last year, but time will tell,” Yzerman said. “As much as we plan, we have to get on the ice and see how it unfolds.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the new faces and to see how the players within our organization, who have been here, respond to the opportunity to get a bigger role and compete with some of the new players, younger players or the new faces to those points. “

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