Canucks confirm Vancouver won't be NHL hub city

Vancouver will not serve as one of two hub cities in the NHL's return-to-play plan, the Canucks announced Thursday.

Vancouver's bid reportedly suffered a setback following talks with health authorities.

Chicago, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Toronto are the five remaining candidates after the NHL tabbed 10 cities as finalists when it unveiled its 24-team playoff plan in May.

It was reported Saturday that the league had trimmed its list to six candidates, with all three Canadian cities still in the mix.

Vancouver had appeared to be one of the leading contenders over the last couple of months. British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, implied in early May that she was open to the city serving as a hub for NHL games.

B.C. Premier John Horgan said less than two weeks later that he'd had "a wide-ranging call" with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of Vancouver hosting games upon the league's return.