Why are NHL players refusing t...

Until this year, NHL Pride Night festivities passed without much notice.

Teams demonstrated their support for the LGBTQ+ community by donning rainbow uniforms, which were subsequently auctioned off with proceeds helping community groups, and by adorning their sticks with rainbow tape. However, there was a major shift this year, starting with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov declining to hit the ice in a Pride warmup jersey.

Some incorrectly identified this as a Russian-specific problem linked to Russia's "gay propaganda law." That reasoning was quickly debunked when San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer and Florida Panthers siblings Eric and Marc Staal declined to wear Pride jerseys due to religious beliefs. 

If it isn't a Russian problem, and it isn't a Biblically commanded order to not wear a garment promoting the LGBTQ+ community, what is the cause of this controversy? And how does all of this affect the NHL's "Hockey is for Everyone" ad campaign? Several athletes have publicly expressed their support for the LGBTQ+ community and Pride, while other teams have declined to participate.

Let's dig deeply into Pride in the NHL, what it means, who's to thank for the uproar, and who's saying what.

Confirmed players who chose not to participate in Pride night

Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia Flyers: Provorov was the first, stating he would not wear the jersey in order to “stay true to myself and my religion,” which he defined as Russian Orthodox. With Provorov in the dressing room, his teammates took to the ice for warmups in their Pride jerseys, but his absence sparked a debacle for the league that would not soon end.

James Reimer, San Jose Sharks: Next came Reimer, who stated that he was “choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life.” Reimer’s actions overshadowed the Sharks’ Pride night plans, which were some of the most robust and comprehensive in the league.

Eric and Marc Staal, Florida Panthers: Like Reimer, the Staals cited their Christian beliefs as their reason for refusing to don a Pride jersey ahead of last week's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eric Staal had previously worn a Pride-themed jersey while with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2020-21 season.

Ilya Lyubushkin, Buffalo Sabres: Most recently, Sabres defender Ilya Lyubushkin opted out of wearing a Pride-themed jersey for the Sabres’ festivities, despite the fact several prominent Russian players have worn Pride jerseys already this season.

Andrei Kuzmenko, Vancouver Canucks: The Russian winger is sixth NHL player to decline wearing a jersey. Kuzmenko decided not to wear a Pride-themed warm-up jersey prior to Friday’s game against the Calgary Flames. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Kuzmenko’s decision was made in consultation with his family.

Which teams didn't wear Pride jerseys or use rainbow tape?

The Chicago Blackhawks made headlines when they openly stated they won’t wear Pride jerseys, according to the Chicago Sun Times, “because of safety concerns for Russian players.”

Chicago was not the only team to abandon Pride jersey plans this season, a growing list that also includes the New York Rangers, who were the first full team to ditch Pride following Provorov’s act. Also choosing not to wear Pride jerseys this season, either within their initial plans, or as a reaction to the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric spreading throughout the league, were the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues.

Which teams did wear Pride jerseys and/or use rainbow tape?

While the teams and players opting out of Pride celebrations are the ones stealing headlines, a larger number of teams did wear Pride jerseys, or at the very least, utilize rainbow tape in warmups.

The Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks had two of the most touted Pride celebrations, not only for their jersey designs and participation, but for the off-ice education, events, and community engagement. The same could be said for the San Jose Sharks, despite Reimer choosing to overshadow the celebration.

Upcoming NHL pride nights

With the amount of controversy players and teams choosing to stand against Pride celebrations has created in the NHL this season, media, fans and league officials will be watching the remaining teams who have Pride celebrations scheduled.

The Winnipeg Jets (April 5) are next, followed by the Montreal Canadiens (April 6) and Nashville Predators (April 12). Nashville, whose organization includes the NHL’s only openly gay prospect, Luke Prokop, do not plan to wear jerseys, only to use tape.

What does Russia have to do with Pride in the NHL?

Despite the Blackhawks reportedly stating they abandoned Pride due to safety concerns for Russian players, the answer to this question, as supported by evidence to date, is there is no connection between Russia’s law and the NHL. If players were on Russian soil, perhaps they could be charged with breaking the nation’s “gay propaganda law,” punishable with a fine of up to ​​$6,500 USD. In North America, however, where the law does not apply, there is no evidence to suggest Russian players, or their families, would be at risk due to participation in a Pride event.

Do religions say not to participate?

To say a specific religion states not to participate in a Pride night would be false. Within Christianity, there are many denominations, each featuring their own interpretation of the Bible, and having their own stance related to the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, the United Church of Canada, which is building a network of affirming ministries, says that these churches “publicly declare their commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”

As a Gallup poll result stated, “U.S. Protestants' views on moral issues such as abortion, gay and lesbian relations, and premarital sex differ sharply, depending on their denominational affiliation.” These differences were based largely on “the ways in which they interpret and teach the Bible.”

Who is speaking in support of Pride?

While some players have chosen to use their platform to denounce Pride, others, including Connor McDavid, Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Hyman vocally supported Pride initiatives.

McDavid, the best player on the planet, said his Oilers were looking forward to Pride night, although Edmonton was never scheduled to wear Pride jerseys.

"I know here in Edmonton we strongly believe hockey is for everyone and strongly support Pride Night," McDavid said. "We're looking forward to it. I think we were the first team to use the Pride tape in warmups so we're firm believers in the celebration that is Pride Night."

Fellow Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who is Jewish, also spoke in support of Pride, helping to debunk purported ties to religion and the anti-LGBTQ+ movement.

Why is Pride night important?

When news started pouring in about teams and players refusing to support Pride, Luke Prokop himself took to social media to explain the impact and importance of Pride celebrations in hockey.

"Pride nights and pride jerseys play an important role in promoting and respecting inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community and it's disheartening to see some teams no longer wearing them or embracing their significance, while the focus of others has become about the players who aren't participating rather than the meaning of the night itself," Prokop wrote on social media.