Travis Hamonic not opting out of NHL season but yet to join Vancouver Canucks, says GM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Friday that defender Travis Hamonic is not out of the NHL season. But he has yet to join the team.

Benning said in a statement on Twitter that the 31-year-old is “staying home for some personal matters” and that the team “continues to support him.”

Hamonic signed a two-year, $ 6 million deal with the Canucks in July. But it was not in Vancouver when the team opened training camp on September 24.

Hamonic scored three goals and seven assists in 38 games for Vancouver last season. He has scored 40 goals and 158 assists in 675 regular-season games in 11 seasons with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, and Canucks.

The Canucks also said they will have fans at Rogers Arena on Sunday for the first time in nearly 19 months when they face Winnipeg in a preseason game.

Rogers Arena is only operated for season ticket holders and their 50-seat guests. Spectators must wear masks unless they are eating and drinking and must show a vaccination card to enter the building.