How Are AHL Players Handling Season On Pause? 3/14/20

ALLENTOWN, PA - The American Hockey League (AHL) suspended play of their regular season Thursday due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hours leading up to that decision and the time now and until sports return marks an unprecedented moment in the history of sport in our lifetime.

For the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, everything was business as usual heading into their Wednesday night game against rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

"It was business as usual and then [after the game] everyone got on their phone and we saw," Phantoms forward Greg Carey told InsideAHLHockey.com via phone Saturday afternoon.

Carey was referring to the big news out of the NBA that one its players has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and that they'd be suspending play of their season indefinitely, effective immediately.

"Word was that the NHL was going to come out with a statement the following day. You kind of figure most major sports are going to start following suit," Carey explained. "Prior to maybe 10 o'clock, or whenever we got done, the season was on. We were game on."

Breaking news and updates on cancellation of sports leagues, large gatherings and St. Patrick's Day parades filled newsfeeds in the following hours and days across the United States and Canada.

While some AHL teams canceled their Thursday morning meetings/practices etc, the Phantoms were on the ice for their 11:15 a.m. scheduled practice - in preparation of hosting the rival Penguins again on Friday.

"We figured probably the season would be paused if the NHL paused. The NHL did announce the pause while we were still at the rink [Thursday]," Carey told InsideAHLHockey.com. "We just had to wait. Wait and see what was going to happen with us. The AHL took the step, so now we are all just hanging out, trying to figure out what our next step is."

For now, just like NHL teams, Carey and the Phantoms aren't practicing or engaging in any team meetings or activities in what is now becoming a common self-quarantine. The sixth-year pro nicknamed the Hamilton Howitzer by those in the Lehigh Valley - and his teammates - are in unfamiliar territory not having any games on the weekend.

"We had a couple of us together yesterday and we're just like, this is so strange," Carey said. "You never expect the season to be stopped early. Friday night, just sitting on the couch and looking around like this is strange. We are not really used to that, having Friday nights free."

Until further notice, that will become the norm for AHL players as everyone is waiting to find out what happens next.

An interesting wrinkle in this situation, especially in the AHL, is the hockey players - like Carey - who are playing out the final year of their contract and uncertain what their playing future holds for them if it came to ending the AHL's 2019-20 season as it stands now with over 80% of the league's schedule played out.

"It's definitely unfortunate. I know guys are playing for contracts, guys are trying to earn their call ups and make runs in the last part of the season. Now we don't know if there will be a last part of the season, so it's definitely shocking," Carey said. "I still think we are all kind of taking it in and trying to figure it out. We don't know what is going to happen with us or what their decision is yet, so we are just waiting by our phones and trying to stay healthy and follow the self-quarantine that everyone is doing."

Another important thing that Carey noted in his 1-on-1 with InsideAHLHockey.com is that if/when the pause comes to an end it will take some additional time for the athletes to shake off the rust of not being on the ice.

"If the season was to resume I'd assume they'd have a mini training camp for guys to get back in shape," Carey said. "It's a sport where it's not like you can go outside and skate on the road. You need your ice. You need your gear. We're just waiting to hear [what's next]."