Wild prospect Rossi details COVID-linked myocarditis scare

TL;DR

Minnesota Wild prospect Marco Rossi discusses his myocarditis diagnosis after COVID-19 that sidelined him for months.
Bloodwork during Wild training camp quarantine revealed heart inflammation, forcing him home to Austria for recovery.
Rossi expresses relief at surviving a potentially fatal condition, with clearance tests planned for mid-May.

The story at a glance

Minnesota Wild top prospect Marco Rossi opened up for the first time about developing myocarditis after COVID-19. The condition was caught through blood tests during NHL quarantine before Wild training camp in January. He spoke publicly after nearly four months off the ice, while awaiting further evaluation in Austria.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice/)[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice)

Key points

Rossi tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2020, recovered with minor symptoms, then captained Austria at the World Juniors in December but felt ongoing fatigue.
In early January 2021, pre-training camp physicals showed abnormal bloodwork, leading to myocarditis diagnosis—inflammation of the heart muscle.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice/)
Doctors warned that one more game at Worlds could have been dangerous; Rossi was barred from all strenuous activity, limited to stretching and short walks.
He stayed briefly with Wild forward Thomas Vanek in Minnesota, got support from ex-Wild goalie Alex Stalock (who had myocarditis), then returned to Austria to live with parents.
Recovery involves rest; mid-May tests in Dornbirn, Austria, will check if he can resume workouts—doctors there have cleared athletes with similar issues.

Details and context

Rossi, the Wild's ninth overall pick in 2020, had played one pro game in Switzerland before COVID hit. The virus led to this rare but serious complication, which can impair heart pumping or cause irregular beats. Fatigue lingered into Worlds, where Austria lost early, but the issue surfaced only at camp.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice/)

Myocarditis from COVID was an emerging concern for athletes in 2021; Wild doctors caught it early via routine screening. Rossi's case highlights risks even after mild infections. He was in peak shape before, making the restrictions especially tough mentally.[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice)

Key quotes

"The doctors told me if I played one more game in the World Junior Championship, this could have ended completely different. I'm thankful to God that he supported me. … I'm just happy that I'm still alive." — Marco Rossi[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice/)
"Every time before I went to sleep, I was so scared that I won't wake up anymore... I told my parents, 'Could you sleep right next to my bed and be here 'til I fall asleep?'" — Marco Rossi on his fears[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215993/2021/04/27/wilds-marco-rossi-opens-up-about-heart-condition-that-forced-him-off-the-ice/)

Why it matters

Myocarditis cases like Rossi's underscored early COVID risks to young athletes' hearts, influencing league protocols. For prospects and fans, it meant uncertainty over a high draft pick's career just as he joined the NHL pipeline. Watch mid-May 2021 tests for clearance, though full recovery timelines varied for similar patients.