1918 Spanish Flu V.S. Covid-19's Effect on Hockey

We are all aware of the current situation that we are facing in this unprecedented time. Stores are closed, schools are either canceled or on hold, and millions of people are losing their jobs; but another thing that it is effecting is sports. Countries from around the globe are putting major sports leagues and games on hold, including the NHL. What a lot of people forget to realize, however, is that the world has gone through a situation like this before; when the widespread Spanish Influenza plagued the earth in 1918.

The Spanish flu left a footprint of tragedy to the world. Over 50 million people were killed by this pandemic, 675 thousand of which came from the United States. Just like today, however, the Flu of 1918 also left a major impact on hockey, more particularly, the 1919 Stanley Cup final.

Back in the day, the Stanley Cup consisted of two teams that represented two separate leagues, the National Hockey League and the Pacific Coast Hockey League. In the year of 1919, the NHL was represented by the Montreal Canadiens, and the PCHL was represented by the Seattle Metropolitans. The Final started off normally, with each team winning two games, losing two games, and then tying for another one. It was the day of the sixth and final game where everything went wrong.

It was confirmed, that on the day of the game, seven members of the Montreal Canadiens and three members of the Seattle Metropolitans came down with the Spanish Flu. Both team still wanted to play, so in order to make up for the missing players on the roster, Canadiens general manager, George Kennedy, who also got the flu, asked the NHL if the team can borrow players from other teams in the league. The NHL rejected this idea and ended up canceling the Stanley Cup. The players who did not have the flu were shipped out of Seattle, and flew back to their homes. Weeks later, there was even more bad news, as Montreal Canadiens player, Joe Hall, died from pneumonia resulting from the Spanish Flu. To this day, if you look at the Stanley Cup, and find the year 1919, you will see that right under it, it says "Cup Not Completed" This is a lasting reminder of the most traumatic Stanley Cup Final in the history of the leagues existence.

Now, what is going to happen to the NHL with the things that are happening now? Will the NHL resume, or will we see another blank space on the leagues most coveted trophy? As of today, there are over three million cases of Covid-19 around the world, with over 200 thousand deaths. Every day the numbers are going up, and there is even an expectation for another surge of cases coming by the end of the year.

This does not look good for hockey. After leagues around the world have postponed play, and their players having to find their own way of training and practicing, is it safe to say that we will not get to watch another hockey game for the rest of the year? Leagues are also in a lot of financial trouble as well. Youth leagues like the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League are planning on applying for financial support, and the East Coast Hockey League is struggling as well, with thousands of people trying to give whatever they can to keep the league running.

If the NHL does start up again, how will the games be played? What if a player get the virus during that time? There have already been eight players who caught the coronavirus, and it would be horrible if that number goes up. Teams will most likely have to play in empty arenas, and the season will have to be cut short.

This is an uncertain time for all of us, and we do not know what the future has in store for us just yet. Hopefully we shall all stay safe and bring down this pandemic together, and, as soon as possible, we will bring back our beloved sport of hockey.