That means about 99% of NHL players have gotten the vaccine. "All of our officials are vaccinated. All of the personnel that come into contact with the players are vaccinated," the commissioner adds.

The 19-year-old prospect for the Nashville Predators is the first NHL player, active or retired, to come out. "Living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink," Prokop said.

The NHL is the first of the four major North American pro sports leagues to crown a champion during the pandemic. Some players spent over two months in a bubble, with no COVID-19 cases reported.

The National Hockey League has resumed its season in two "bubbles" in Edmonton and Toronto, Canada. The league says it's administered 7,000 coronavirus tests to players, with zero positive cases.