NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has announced a change regarding specialty sweaters worn during warmups, stating that they will no longer be part of the game due to the distractions they cause. This decision comes after a few players refused to wear Pride jerseys in the previous season, sparking an ongoing discussion.
Bettman expressed his view during an interview with Sportsnet following an NHL board of governors meeting in New York. He suggested that it would be best for teams not to change their jerseys during warmups to avoid distractions. He emphasized that all NHL clubs organize events honoring various groups or causes and it is important for these initiatives to receive the attention they deserve without any distractions.
The board of governors supported Bettman’s stance on this matter. The decision does not mean an end to specialty nights like Pride Night, Black History Night, Military Appreciation Night, or Hockey Fights Cancer. Teams can still host these events and create and sell specialty sweaters for charitable purposes. Players are also free to model these sweaters off the ice. The change primarily affects the jerseys worn on the ice during warmups.
However, the organization You Can Play, which works towards inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community in sports and leagues, expressed concern and disappointment regarding the decision. They stated that this means the majority of players who chose to wear Pride jerseys in support of the community will now miss out on the opportunity to do so. They emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to make locker rooms, board rooms, and arenas safer and more inclusive, and stated that they will continue working with the NHL, individual teams, players, agents, and the NHLPA to ensure progress in this regard.
During the previous season, all 32 NHL teams held Pride or Hockey Is for Everyone nights. However, seven players opted not to participate in pregame warmups when their teams wore Pride jerseys. Some teams also decided not to have players wear the specialty sweaters, even though they had originally planned to do so.
The situation unfolded in January when Ivan Provorov, then a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers (now with the Columbus Blue Jackets), chose not to wear a Pride Night-themed warmup sweater. Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religious beliefs, stating that he wanted to remain true to himself and his religion. Subsequently, San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer and brothers Eric and Marc Staal, who both play for the Florida Panthers, also decided not to participate in warmups during their teams’ respective Pride Nights, citing religious beliefs.
Other players, including Ilya Lyubushkin of the Buffalo Sabres, Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens, and Andrei Kuzmenko of the Vancouver Canucks, also opted out of their teams’ Pride Night warmups. Lyubushkin referenced an anti-gay law in Russia as his reason for not participating.
In March, the Chicago Blackhawks reportedly did not wear their Pride-themed warmup sweaters due to concerns about the Russian law, which imposed further restrictions on activities supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. The Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers initially planned to wear special sweaters for their respective Pride Nights but later reversed their decision.
Bettman concluded by highlighting the importance of keeping the focus on the game and the causes being supported during specialty nights. By eliminating distractions, the league aims to prioritize the game itself and ensure the success of these important initiatives.
