Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen, who lived with Matthews for an extended period of time this year but no longer does, did not test positive for the respiratory disease, according to the Sun.
However, Andersen isn't the only hockey player who was been around been Matthews of late. A number of players on the Arizona Coyotes, who were training with Matthews, have also reportedly tested positive for coronavirus. The identity of those individuals, as well as seemingly every other NHL player that has tested positive for the disease, remains hidden.
The Leafs have yet to release a statement about Matthews. Per the Sun, the team is seeking "clarity" on the situation. As one source told the Sun, "There's no blueprint for this. This is not an ankle injury."
The reported Matthews news comes in the wake of the Tampa Bay Lightning shutting down their facilities after multiple players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
On Friday, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 3,246 new positive cases of coronavirus, exceeding Thursday's single-day high of 2,519 cases.
