Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday that forward Tyler Bertuzzi has declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19 ahead of the NHL season.

Yzerman said the team is following protocols with Bertuzzi, with the expectation being that he will not travel with the team for games in Canada.

The Red Wings are scheduled to play nine games in Canada this season, during which Bertuzzi can be suspended without pay.

Bertuzzi was limited to nine games with the Red Wings in 2020-21 due to injury, finishing with five goals and seven points. He was signed to a two-year contract this off-season.

The 26-year-old had a career season with the Red Wings in 2019-20, setting career highs in assists (27) and points (48), while posting 21 goals for the second straight year. 

Selected in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft by Detroit, Bertuzzi has 54 goals and 126 points in 208 career NHL games.