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Broadcaster John Forslund in self-quarantine after possible coronavirus exposure

coronavirus

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Television play by play announcer John Forslund of the Carolina Hurricanes is honored for 20 years of broadcasting prior to their NHL game at PNC Arena on March 21, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

John Forslund, a play-by-play broadcaster for the Carolina Hurricanes and NBCSN, is one of two members of the Hurricanes organization currently under self-quarantine following possible exposure to the coronavirus.

His possible exposure: He stayed in the same Detroit hotel room that was previously used by Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert last weekend.

Gobert was the first athlete in North America to test positive, resulting in the suspension of the NBA season.

Donovan Mitchell, one of Gobert’s teammates, also tested positive.

Just about every other North American sports league quickly followed in the NBA’s footsteps to immediately stop their season.

The NHL announced its decision on Thursday.

According to Luke DeCock of the News & Observer, Hurricanes team videographer Zack Brame is also under self-quarantine “after staying in one of three rooms the CDC identified for possible exposure after the Jazz moved out of the Detroit Westin Book Cadillac on Saturday and the Hurricanes moved in on Sunday.”

More, from the News & Observer:

Forslund was sitting on one of the team buses just after 2 p.m. Thursday as the Hurricanes prepared to come home from New Jersey after the suspension of the NHL season when Hurricanes vice president Mike Sundheim, who manages the team’s travel, came aboard and asked the other passenger to exit. Sundheim told him that the Jazz had stayed at the hotel before their game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, and the Hurricanes checked in about 8 p.m. Sunday.

After Gobert tested positive for the COVID-19 disease Wednesday night, the hotel told Sundheim that Forslund and Brame had potentially been exposed as well. The two were isolated at the front of the team plane on the flight home from Newark on Thursday — “That felt like a cross-country flight,” Forslund said — and briefed by team physician Josh Bloom on what comes next.


Read DeCock’s story here for more from Forslund.

Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said they were told that there is a low possibility the virus could be transmitted through the hotel room, but it was still recommended that Forslund and Brame self-quarantine for two weeks.

Forslund told the N&O that he is currently quarantined in his basement. His wife is leaving his meals at the door to the basement, while one their daughters is staying with neighbors (their other children are currently living out of state).

He will remain quarantined for the next 10 days to see if any symptoms develop.

Forslund has worked for the Hurricanes organization since the 1991 season when it was still based in Hartford. He has been the team’s play-by-play announcer since 1995. Forslund also calls games for NBC and NBCSN.

MORE:
Hockey leagues following NHL’s lead
Uncertainty awaits as NHL puts season on ice — for now
How grassroots hockey has been affected by COVID-19
Where the NHL left off with 2019-20 season in limbo

Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.