The NHL’s recent ban on all on-ice theme night gear, including Pride symbols, from uniforms has been met with widespread criticism from fans, players, and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The ban comes after a season where a handful of players objected to participating in Pride Night events staged by their clubs, including Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov and then-San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer.
The ban prohibits players from wearing rainbow sweaters, using multicolored tape on sticks, or participating in other Pride Night-related activities during games or warmups. It also allows players to object to being in “close proximity” to people or groups whom they might consider to be “associated” with causes they don’t support.
The NHL has not yet provided a reason for the ban, but it is likely due to the objections of the small number of players who have refused to participate in Pride Night events in the past. However, critics of the ban argue that it is a discriminatory policy that sends a message to LGBTQ+ youth that they are not welcome in hockey.
Kurt Weaver, the chief operations officer of the You Can Play Project, a partner of the NHL and its “Hockey Is for Everyone” campaign, told NBC News that the ban is a “tough one” and that it removes “our most visible representations” of the fight against homophobia.
“When you start to take away what is our most visible representations, what carries the most weight in messaging, is those heroes that you see on the ice standing up for they believe and what they believe is right,” Weaver said. “And removing those from the ice is a tough one.”
Jeff McLean, a spokesperson for Pride Tape, a company that produces rainbow-colored hockey tape, said that the company is “extremely disappointed” by the NHL’s decision.
In addition to the criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, the ban has also been met with opposition from some NHL players. Mark Barberio, a former NHL player, called the ban “a step backwards for the league” and said that it sends a message to LGBTQ+ youth that they are not welcome in hockey.
“It’s a sad day for hockey,” Barberio said. “I think it’s a step backwards for the league. It’s a message to LGBTQ+ youth that they’re not welcome in hockey. And that’s not the message we should be sending.”
The NHL’s ban on theme night gear is a significant setback for the league’s efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity. It is also a reminder that there is still much work to be done to create a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people in hockey.
