| Last updated at 12:37 AM on 12/11/09 |
Virus grounds Rocket 
Players with the P.E.I. and Shawinigan teams have contracted the H1N1 virus
The Guardian
The P.E.I. Rocket won’t be playing this weekend, thanks to the H1N1 virus.
Players from both the Rocket and the Shawinigan Cataractes have contracted the virus, moving the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the P.E.I. club Wednesday to postpone Friday’s and Saturday’s games at the Civic Centre.
The P.E.I. club was originally scheduled to play Baie-Comeau on Friday and Shawinigan on Saturday.
League commissioner Gilles Courteau also announced the game scheduled between Shawinigan and Acadie-Bathurst for Friday night has also been cancelled.
The Rocket organization has confirmed that a number of its players have shown symptoms of the H1N1 virus and these players have been removed and isolated as recommended by public health officials.
The players will be quarantined for the next few days.
“Since a few players from both the Shawinigan Cataractes and P.E.I. Rocket organizations have contracted the virus, we have decided to postpone three games as per outlined in our prevention protocol,” said Courteau.
“These steps have also been taken following the recommendation of our chief physician, Dr. Sylvain Boutet, and both team doctors. Thankfully, none of the players need to be hospitalized.
“Our goal is to remain proactive in regards to the health and security of our players. We will not take any risks.”
Saturday’s game at the Civic Centre was originally scheduled for tonight but was moved to Saturday when six players of Cataractes showed signs of the virus earlier this week.
The Shawinigan team also postponed its game Tuesday night in Halifax.
Rocket president Serge Savard Jr. said his team is taking every precaution for the safety of its players.
“We will keep monitoring the situation closely and, in the near future, we will work with the league to examine different scenarios to re-schedule the games,” said Savard.
“The P.E.I. Rocket is no different than the general public in regards to the H1N1 virus. We are following the recommendations of public health officials in regards to vaccination, detection and treatment of this pandemic.”
Both Rocket games will be rescheduled later in the season and season ticket holders are reminded that they can keep their existing tickets for these games.
No exchange of tickets will be necessary and more details will follow in the near future.
The Rocket has a home game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, against Chicoutimi.
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