The NHL preaches hockey is for everyone, but a recent rule change makes it seem like it was all a sham.
OutSports revealed on Oct. 9, a few days before National Coming Out Day, the league doubled down on the initial ban on special jerseys last June.
Memos were sent to the 32 teams regarding guidance about what players and franchises could do this season for special initiatives nights such as Pride Night.
The initial memo stated: “Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate (or where they may be appearing to demonstrate) personal support for any Special Initiatives. A factor that may be considered in this regard includes, for example, whether a player (or players) is required to be near any groups or individuals visibly or otherwise clearly associated with such Special Initiative(s).”
This policy is obviously not a result of Hockey Fights Cancer or Military Appreciation Night. It appears to be a reaction to seven NHL players publicly refusing to wear a rainbow during a warm up.
That’s it, seven players among the about 1,120 players in the league.
The Leafs have been big supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, by walking in the Pride Parade. The NHL's decision stops them from do and ice actisim Photo credit: X / MapleLeafs
A number so minuscule compared to the rest of the league, yet it still managed to change and put a damper on years of what seemed to be positive LGBTQ+ advancements in the NHL through a partnership with the You Can Play Project and the Hockey is for Everyone initiative.
Those advancements now mean nothing. These new policies are distasteful as they are hurtful. They once again marginalize or outright erase the LGBTQ+ community and its allies from the league. Yet the league still insists that “Hockey is for Everyone.”
The way they switched up so easily when players started to refuse the jersey is very telling that the league clearly values protecting homophobia over being inclusive.
The result is excluding an entire community.
This new policy by the league told the organization behind Pride Tape that no player this season would be allowed to use the tape on their stick during warm-ups, games or even practices.
Pride Tape was a statement piece during warmups during Pride Nights, but unlike the jersey, which is team-issued and affects every player, using the Pride Tape has always been an individual choice.
Now it’s not even an option anymore.
Pride Tape is more than just colourful tape. It’s a statement.
“Pride Tape is a badge of support from teammates, coaches, parents and pros to young LGBTQ+ players,” Pride Tape’s website states. “It shows every player that they belong playing the sports they love. That we’re all on the same team.”
It is used as a reminder for LGBTQ+ folks that they do belong in the game although at times it feels like they don’t because of sports culture.
Taking away the rainbow tape is taking away promoting diversity, equality and inclusion through sport.
As it stands right now, the message being sent to past, current, and future LGBTQ+ coaches, players, management and fans, whether they are out or in the closet, is they are not welcomed.
Fortunately, many players, including Morgan Rielly, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Scott Laughton, have already begun to speak out against these new regulations.
Hopefully, they use their power to overturn any rule or policy that hurts diversity.
All that is needed is one NHL star to challenge the pride tape ban, and the league will be embarrassed to change again.
It is time for players to grow a backbone, fight for LGBTQ+ folks and follow the slogan “Hockey is for everyone,” something the league has suddenly and inexplicably forgotten.