NHL teams will not wear Pride jerseys during pregame warm-ups on theme nights next season after a number of players pushed back against the effort.
All 32 teams held Pride nights this past season and, in some cases, wore and auctioned off rainbow-colored jerseys. The refusal of some NHL players to participate led NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and later the league’s board of governors to conclude it’s become a distraction from the actual hockey as well as the causes highlighted. The board instituted the policy Thursday.
“That’s just become more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are,” explained Bettman. “We’re keeping the focus on the game. And on these specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause.”
Teams will still host the Pride nights, but individual players won’t be subject to scrutiny for their decisions, Bettman said. The teams will continue to host themed nights for other causes as well, such as military appreciation and the fight against cancer.
“All of these nights will continue. The only difference will be we’re not going to change jerseys for warm-up,” Bettman said. The jerseys will still be designed, autographed, and sold, added Bettman.
The first refusal to skate in a pregame warm-up with a Pride jersey came from Philadelphia Flyers player Ivan Provorov, who cited his Russian Orthodox faith. “I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov explained.
Provorov was subject to criticism. It was even suggested by one NHL commentator that he leave the country and go and fight in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine by one NHL commenter.
“Provy did nothing wrong,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said in defense of his player. “Just because you don’t agree with his decision doesn’t mean he did anything wrong.”
James Reimer and Canadian brothers Eric and Marc Staal also cited their Christian faith in refusing to wear the jerseys. Russian players Ilya Lyubushkin, Denis Gurianov, and Andrei Kuzmenko also opted out.