Small group skating currently is allowed at Sharks' facility, but larger groups would need approvalGetty Images
Sharks President Jonathan Becher said that the team will "need to hold its training camp outside of Santa Clara County if local health officials do not allow players to skate in large groups at Solar4America Ice in San Jose," according to Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose MERUCRY NEWS. Becher on Friday said that the Sharks right now are "able to skate in small groups at the facility, but would need approval from the county’s public health department to skate in larger groups during training camp, which could start next month." Becher: "We do not yet have permission to do that. We're hoping to hear back from the county next week in order to open that up, which then would allow scrimmages and practices to start in early December. That's one of questions we do not have an answer to just yet." Becher said that holding training camp outside of the county "would be 'a last resort for us, but if the season is going to start in January and we can't train here, we would have to train someplace else. That is a backup plan." Pashelka noted coronavirus cases are "surging to frightening levels in Santa Clara County." The Sharks "need to find a home for their training camp soon if they're not going to be in San Jose" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 11/22).
BETTER NEWS ON SAP CENTER: Meanwhile, Becher on Friday said that he has been "encouraged about what he has heard from city council members after he pleaded last week that proposed downtown developments around the Diridon train station would endanger the NHL’s team future at SAP Center." Becher said, "Our message was heard loud and clear." He also indicated that if the city "upholds its parking agreement with the Sharks, that would alleviate many of the team's concerns" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 11/21).
