The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being felt around the world, with people forced to stay in their homes as much as possible and growing concern around the world about how long the crisis will last.
Among other impacts, sports leagues everywhere have been brought to a screeching halt, with many questions about when, or if, they’ll start up again this year.
With so much uncertainty about what’s to come, Quinte News is reaching out to some members of the Belleville Senators, whose franchise record breaking season was stopped in its tracks. We wanted to find out how they’re handling the situation where they are and what it’s like being isolated from teammates, friends and family.
We start our series with forward Joseph LaBate, who has returned to suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota and is getting near the end of his quarantine period there.
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QN: Take us back to after that last game on March 11 in Laval and when things started to get serious, what was the reaction to the season being paused?
JL: We had that game in Laval and there were some rumblings that the virus was picking up speed and becoming more serious. The game finished and we were all on our phones trying to find out what was going to happen and when we got on the bus, we turned around to Belleville instead of going to Utica and everything kind of spiralled from there. The next day we had a team meeting and it kept going from there. Eventually we were all told to go home and stay indoors. It was pretty crazy; I feel like everything happened so quickly.
QN: Is it any less frustrating given the fact that athletes and leagues around the world seem to be on the same page about the seriousness of this?
JL: Absolutely. The thought initially was “the season is cancelled that’s such a bummer”, but this is bigger than sports and a lot of things, it’s about the safety of everyone. Everyone just has to listen to what the people higher up are saying and stay indoors, that’s what I’ve been doing. Any time your season is cancelled with the momentum we had going it’s frustrating, but I think we all as a team and organization, realize this is a lot more important and we have to do the right thing.
QN: You’re back home in Minnesota, what’s it been like to be back?
JL: I drove straight from Belleville (about 18 hours) and moved right into my new house, I think I’ve been here 13 or 14 days or something like that. It’s exciting to be in my own new place. When I was heading home, everything happened so quickly and all that stuff came out about people in the Ottawa organization being exposed, so I just wanted to be smart and didn’t go to my parents just in case. Now I’m just waiting until my 14 days is up and then re-evaluate.
QN: So you’re stuck alone inside your hose, has that been more difficult given the “outdoorsy” type of guy you are?
JL: Yeah, I’m just FaceTiming friends and my family, trying to stay virtually social as much I can but it’s been tough. I’m definitely an extrovert and like interacting with people and being social, so being stuck in my house isn’t ideal. I love being outside. Fishing is one of my favourite things to do, so that’s been frustrating. I’ve also started running outdoors a bit more so that gets me out. It’s frustrating but I’m just trying to do my part and make sure I don’t get it or spread it and just trying to be smart.
QN: What kind of routine have you got into to pass the time by yourself?
JL: I’m trying to get back into one. I usually get up around 8:30 or 9:30 in the morning and have some breakfast. I’ll go for a run after that or do a workout from home and the rest of the day is basically finding ways to fill time. FaceTiming family and friends, cooking, I’m in school right now so working on the class I’m in and trying to be productive. I also set up a shooting area in my basement, so I spend a lot of time shooting pucks down there. Obviously, things are a lot different than usual, so just taking it one day at a time.
QN: It’s a bit different for you being in the US, do people there seem concerned and what kind of restrictions are being put in place?
JL: I think everyone is definitely concerned. All my friends are pretty much quarantined to some degree. Nobody is going to work, everyone in my family is working from home now. My sisters and my brother all live in the cities and are quarantined in their homes, so are my parents. The entire state of Minnesota is pretty much on lockdown. The Governor announced that we shouldn’t leave our houses unless it’s for groceries or you absolutely need to, don’t go to work unless it’s for essential business. You can go outside and walk around but keep a six-foot distance from people. I think people are definitely taking it seriously, at least here in Minnesota and trying to stop it from spreading more.
QN: Let’s say the season starts again, do you have a thought on how you’d like to see things resume? Are you open to playing through the summer and how much time do you think teams will need to get going?
JL: It’s a tough question. Obviously, I’ve been following along with what the NHL and NHLPA is saying but it’s so hard to say because we’re a different league. I feel like there is a lot of things that goes into it including revenue and things like that. Personally I’ d love to be able play again. We had such a great team and I thought we were going to have a really great playoff run, potentially do some damage and go all the way. As far as what I think would be possible, I don’t’ really have enough of an educated idea on that, it’s really hard to say.
QN: Do you have any messages to get out in the midst of all this?
JL: For anyone that’s working right now and trying to help save lives, nurses, doctors, businesses who are making masks to help people, I think it’s absolutely incredible. I’m trying to do my little part by staying home and not spreading it and it’s incredible what those people are doing it. We’re all really appreciate it. For fans, it’s obviously frustrating the season got cut short and it’s a bummer not having sports and stuff, but I think it’s just important to stay home and make sure we can contain this as much as possible so it doesn’t spread or get any worse. With all of the sacrifices people are making, it’s worth it and I really appreciate what everyone is doing.
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Later this week we’ll hear from rookie forward Alex Formenton, who was on a torrid pace in his first year of pro hockey, among the top scoring forwards in the American Hockey League.
We’ll also catch up with Head Coach Troy Mann, who is still in Belleville and adjusting to the social distancing life with his wife and daughter.
