Former NHLer Georges Laraque has revealed that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Laraque, who spent eight years of his 13-year playing career with the Edmonton Oilers, made the announcement in an Instagram post.
“I guess I’m not invincible,” Laraque wrote. “Just got diagnosed with Covid, since I’m asthmatic, not the best news, will fight it off!”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from the novel coronavirus, as it affects your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), potentially contributing to an asthma attack and leading to pneumonia or acute respiratory disease.
During his playing career, Laraque spent two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens as well as brief stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins and then-Phoenix Coyotes, in addition to his Edmonton tenure.
Through 695 games, the oft-physical Laraque totaled 1,126 penalty minutes, while scoring 53 times and adding 100 assists.
Laraque announced his retirement from hockey on August 10, 2010, after the Canadiens bought out his contract.
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