Morgan Rielly comments on July 10th phase 3 training camp announcement

It's been a little over three months since the NHL paused its season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since that moment, teams, executives, players and fans have been waiting with baited breath for an announcement on when the league would resume play.

Though the official decision ended up being to terminate the remainder of the regular season, the NHL and NHLPA has set up a four-phase plan to return to play, beginning with a 24-team playoff.

Following the announcement on Thursday that July 10th would be the date on which teams would enter into Phase 3 of the NHL and NHLPA's return to play plans, Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly met with the media to give his thoughts on the announcement.

"That's good news for us, knowing the date of July 10. That's what we've been waiting for and if you ask most players what was the hardest part of it all, it was the uncertainty," said Rielly.

As much of a damper as it put on the spring months in the lives of hockey fans around the world, it must pale in comparison to the impact that the pause put on the players, whose very livelihood was affected by the pandemic. Only once in the league's storied history has a pandemic shut down play, resulting in no Stanley Cup being awarded. Thankfully, though, the 2019-20 playoffs are looking increasingly probable.

"We have an opportunity here in the next month and after training camp gets going. We want to be as prepared as possible because there's a chance to come back and prove people wrong."

With Maple Leafs players having had the opportunity to get back into the team's training facilities over the past week, coupled with Thursday's announcement, the excitement and energy is beginning to build within the sports world as we all, I'm sure, anticipate a return to our "new normal".

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