Oilers forward Archibald receives medical exemption, enabling full return to team
Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Archibald is an “available player” for the team going forward, head coach Jay Woodcroft said Wednesday, after Archibald received a medical exemption from his cardiologist that will enable him to play at home and on the road despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
In March, Archibald took part in his first full practice with the Oilers, skating with the team for the first time since being diagnosed with the heart condition myocarditis back in October.
Myocarditis enlarges and weakens the heart, can create scar tissue and forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. This type of inflammation can have wide-ranging effects — including fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and chest pain — though the vast majority of myocarditis cases overall are both mild and temporary.
Severe cases of myocarditis, though, can be permanently damaging and lead to heart failure, heart attacks, arrhythmias or even sudden cardiac death. In athletes, myocarditis has been implicated in a significant portion of sudden cardiac death cases, up to 22 per cent, though a fatal outcome is still exceedingly unlikely overall.
As he worked his way back into the lineup, Archibald’s availability was in a constant state of flux, limited by the travel restrictions Canada has in place for unvaccinated people crossing the border.
Archibald skated in eight regular-season games for the Oilers this season, picking up one assist. It is not known at this time where in the Oilers lineup he will slot into for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings.
When Archibald returned to the team in March, he said he was healthy and didn’t expect to have any long-term effects from myocarditis. He added that he wouldn’t do anything different, calling his choice not to be vaccinated a “personal decision,” despite the voluminous research showing that approved vaccines protect individuals against COVID-19 and that vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 can experience less severe illness as a result.
Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies missed the country’s World Cup qualifiers this winter with myocarditis, which he contracted shortly after testing positive for COVID-19. When Archibald was diagnosed with myocarditis in October, it was revealed that he had contracted COVID-19 over the summer.
Editor’s Note: The COVID-19 situation, in sports and around the world, is constantly evolving. Readers in Canada can consult the country’s public health website for the latest.