Report: OEG pitching Alberta Health on allowing fans to attend games

The Oilers Entertainment Group is pitching Alberta Health on allowing a limited number of fans in Rogers Place for games, TSN’s Tom Gazzola reports, citing multiple sources.

According to Gazzola, the Oilers have assembled a 50-page proposal that surrounds the province being able to get to step three of the provinces path forward plan.

The plan also includes proper COVID-19 protocols being followed in terms of social distancing and masks, with OEG wanting to provide AHS with a “testing ground” for patrons at live events, Gazzola reported. If it were to come to fruition, Gazzola reports that frontline workers would be “honoured, celebrated and in attendance at the first game back” and in subsequent games the remainder of the year.

Fans haven’t been in Rogers Place for nearly a year, but other teams around the NHL have slowing begun allowing fans to return to games.

The Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning are all allowing some fans to return. The Stars have had the highest average attendance at 4,077 fans per game, with the Lightning the lowest at 418 fans per game.