Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was the 13th NHL player to get the mumps. New York Rangers center Derrick Brassard quickly followed making it 14th. Later in the week, Crosby’s teammate Beau Bennett made 15.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was the latest player that is feared to have contracted the mumps, but head coach Joel Quenneville says it’s “unlikely.”
The NHL’s environment is prime for an outbreak such as the Mumps outbreak that is occurring now.
The confirmed list of 14 players that have been diagnosed includes:
Anaheim Ducks Right Winger Corey Perry
Anaheim Ducks Defenseman Francois Beauchemin
Anaheim Ducks Defenseman Clayton Stoner
Anaheim Ducks Left Winger Emerson Etem
Minnesota Wild Defenseman Ryan Suter
Minnesota Wild Defenseman Keith Ballard
Minnesota Wild Defenseman Marco Scandella
Minnesota Wild Defenseman Jonas Brodin
Minnesota Wild Defenseman Christian Folin
New York Rangers Left Winger Tanner Glass
New York Rangers Center Derrick Brassard
New Jersey Devils Center Travis Zajac
New Jersey Devils Defenseman Adam Larsson
Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Beau Bennett
An infection control committee of the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association is following recommendations from the U.S. Center for Disease Control on managing mumps outbreaks, NHLPA spokesperson Jonathan Weatherdon said in an email. That includes making vaccinations available to players — the Maple Leafs had them done on Sunday — and reviewing hygiene techniques and sanitation at arenas and practice facilities and sending updates to clubs and players. “We continue to educate the players on best practices to avoid contracting and spreading mumps.”