Winter weather could cause travel chaos for NHL players heading to Sochi
The NHL and its contingent heading over to Russia to participate in the Sochi Olympics may be facing several travel headaches this weekend, as outlined here by TSN Hockey / Weather Insider Bob McKenzie.
Those coordinating massive NHL airlift to Sochi Sunday crossing fingers: forecast calls for Nor'easter in NYC Sat nite-Sun morning.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2014
Three charters set to depart from Newark 1:30 pm, 3:30 and 5:15. But NHL players/staff need to get into metro NY area Sat and Sun morn.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2014
Length of flight to Sochi (10+ hrs), crew/duty Transport regs, docking limitations in Sochi could cause huge problems if weather is an issue
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2014
In addition to 3 flights leaving Newark Sunday, there's one leaving Atlanta at 7 pm Sunday nite. 4 flights carrying all players/staff etc.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2014
With NHL games scheduled for Saturday, several players will have to count on successful and timely flights to New York and Atlanta in order to catch the charters. The tournament is set to start on Feb. 13, meaning things could get very interesting should various winter weather systems cause travel delays for the players.