Jan. 27 (UPI) -- General manager Kelly McCrimmon stepped in as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for a game against the St. Louis Blues after the Vegas staff had to isolate because of a positive COVID-19 test.
"We had an exposure on our coaching staff," McCrimmon told reporters after the 5-4 shootout loss Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nev. "The best way to handle that is to isolate the entire staff.
"It's not a case where the entire staff tested positive -- most didn't. The protocol is such that you hold those people from the group. There have been no positive tests for players."
Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer, assistant coaches Steve Spott, Ryan Craig and Ryan McGill, and goaltending coach Mike Rosati were among those to miss Tuesday's game. The NHL has not said when the coaches will be allowed to return.
Manny Viveiros -- the head coach of the Golden Knights' AHL team -- assisted McCrimmon on Tuesday from the Vegas bench. AHL assistants Jamie Heward and Joel Ward also assisted. They work for the Henderson Silver Knights, an AHL team based out of a Las Vegas suburb.
McCrimmon coached in the Western Hockey League and worked as an assistant coach for Team Canada before he became Golden Knights general manager.
"We were working with the NHL and it became apparent that our entire coaching staff wasn't going to be available to coach," McCrimmon said. "Once that was the case, we didn't think it was a fair spot to put Manny Viveiros into.
"I had the best familiarity with the players and have coached in the past. That was the thought process."
Vegas closed its facility Wednesday to assess the situation. Golden Knights players -- and all other NHL teams -- test every morning for COVID-19.
McCrimmon said the Golden Knights had one positive tests among its coaching staff, but said the team expects to find out more about the potential exposure over the next 24 hours.
The Golden Knights (5-1-1) host the St. Louis Blues again at 9 p.m. EST Thursday in Paradise.
