Czech hockey star David Krejci tested positive for the coronavirus upon arrival in Beijing and missed the team's first full pre-Olympic practice.
Coach Filip Pesan says Krejci is still in the athletes village awaiting more COVID-19 test results. Pesan voiced optimism about Krejci being cleared Friday after a similar situation unfolded with another player.
The 35-year-old longtime Boston Bruins center is expected to be among the best players in the tournament without NHL players. Krejci won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and has 854 points in 1,118 regular-season and playoff games.
Krejci was almost a point-a-game player last season for the Bruins. He left to go home and play in the Czech Extraliga so friends and family could watch him up close before he retired.
"We're going to re-test him tonight and re-test him tomorrow morning, and I strongly believe that he's going to join the practice tomorrow," Pesan said.