Flames' Hamonic opts out of NHL's restart plan due to family reasons
Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic informed the team that he's opting out of the NHL's play-in tournament due to family concerns, the club announced Friday.
Hamonic is the first player to opt out of the restart. Anyone wishing to opt out can do so without punishment if they inform their team by Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
"Earlier this evening, Travis called me to inform us that he has decided to opt out of the NHL return-to-play program. Travis explained that due to family considerations, he has made the difficult decision not to participate in the Stanley Cup Qualifier and playoffs," general manager Brad Treliving said.
"While we will miss Travis in our lineup, we understand and respect his decision. Our focus remains on preparation for training camp and our upcoming series in the NHL qualifying round," he added.
Hamonic addressed the situation himself with a statement through his agency.
- Titan Sports 365 (@TitanSports365) July 11, 2020
Hamonic appeared in 50 games for the Flames this past campaign, registering 12 points while averaging over 21 minutes per night. He is an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
The Flames are slated to take on the Winnipeg Jets in their best-of-five play-in series. Training camps open July 13, and each club will report to their respective hub city by July 26 with games beginning Aug. 1.
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