NHL may cancel LGBT 'Pride' nights as growing number of players refuse to wear rainbow gear

In response to an increasing number of players engaging in silent protests against the NHL’s Pride Nights, a new report claims the league is re-evaluating the events which may lead to them being canceled.

Currently, all of the teams in the NHL hold Pride nights, however some now do so without the themed jerseys as the events are planned by the individual teams, not the league.

Last Thursday night Florida Panthers players Eric and Marc Staal refused to wear the jerseys citing their Christian beliefs.

The pair said in a statement, “We carry no judgement on how people choose to live their lives, and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey. Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a Pride jersey, it goes against our Christian beliefs.”

Other players have taken similar actions for their religious beliefs such as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov and San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer. After refusing to wear the Pride jersey, Provorov jerseys immediately sold out online.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin has announced that he would not take part in the pregame warmup Monday because the team is scheduled to wear Pride jerseys due to fears of retribution at home in Russian because of the Kremlin’s anti-gay law.

The Chicago Blackhawks opted for their players not to wear the Pride-night jerseys citing Russia’s anti-gay law stating that they were concerned for their players safety when they return home.

Any comments, from the forum, on this issue?

I read this the other day somewhere, probably NHL.com - if it doesn't affect the outcome of game itself and my bet, if were betting on the game on that night - who cares - I believe in freedom of choice and not being forced into doing anything you don't want to - jmho

GL Red

There are articles where players from other countries are worried about things happening to them with the law when they return to thier country's 

Politics have no place in sports. But here it is with groups pushing an agenda. Sad really. 

I remember attending a Ranger's game earlier in the year, on Gay Pride night. A gay man dropped the puck before the game started, and i couldn't help but notice the uncomfortable look on the players faces. It seemed toxic. I personally have nothing against anyone who has other life style choices than myself, however I believe it should be left out of sporting events. Shoving WOKE agenda's down our throats does not advance the causes they wish to advance, IMO.

I got nothing againts anyone but if you can't see the agenda, then you are just a brainwashed zombie.

They are grooming children and men to question their own sexuality, turning boys and men into pussies. Especially in the western side of the world.

Here in Canada its really bad in public schools, what they are teaching and grooming our children.

Normalizing homosexuality, drag queens, pick your gender. Meanwhile China over there is training kids to become soldiers.

When push comes to shove, and if war does breaks out....we will have nothing but a sick box society. All done by design, believe that!

Leave it out of sports. Players should not be forced to participate in something they don't believe in. 

Agreed 100% leave politics out of sports it has no place 

I go to a hockey game to watch hockey.   All this bullshit makes me think of this scene from SlapShot...

Everyone has their own choice, and can do whatever they want but the brain washing is sickening.

And bigots 

It's a pretty safe bet that somewhere in the neighborhood of 0% of the NHL's players are interested in wearing these Pride themed jerseys during warmups even for one game. Sadly, very few of them have the courage to refuse, and the few who do feel the need to offer a reason why, such as their religion. Here would be my public statement on the matter if I was an NHL player: "I will not be participating in the pushing of a disgusting leftist agenda that I don't believe in. The LGBT community should be tolerated, but not celebrated."

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the NHL lost me when they allowed Russian players to continue playing in the NHL. Russian teams have been banned from international competition like the 2022 World Cup of soccer. I'm not gay and I'm not Ukrainian, but I am a supporter of human rights. So, it does not surprise me how the bigotry has been exposed by negativity of some fans and by NHL players refusing to wear pride jerseys to show support for the LGBT community. If I was an NHL player, I would be sitting on the bench refusing to play against any Russian players to support Ukraine. And if I was an NHL player, I would wear the pride jersey to support the LGBT community. I do not feel intimidated or threatened by the LGBT community, but some players and fans obviously are very afraid.

yes IntenseOperator, you don't give a shit about anybody else but yourself. There are women and children being killed everyday by Putin and his terrorism. It is also Putin who is starting the fear in Russian NHL players who wore the pride jersey by threatening their families back in Russia. Maybe you should move to Russia where you can join dictator Putin who also says 'Fuk Ukraine'...Putin also hates the LGBT community and throws them in prison. 

@Redlad

This is the NHL betting forum, not the " I wanna stir shit up" forum. I did not see any bookie giving odds on how many teams/players will wear or refuse to wear pride jerseys or something like that. Not that I would want to bet on stupid shit like that. This post/discussion does not belong here, that's what general discussion forum is for.  

The NBA (who kisses China's ass. along with LJ) would never force a player to wear an Gay Pride insignia, because they know Black players would tell them to F--K Off. But mostly white players are forced to do something that goes against their religious beliefs. How is that fair?

@Wookiee

 Kiss my Ass === I'll post whatever I like. If it offends you, don't read the thread. Now get lost, you useless TROLL!

@IceGray

 Your post is Spot ON! 

@Riff Raff

 With a name like Riff Raff, I'm not sure you'll be missed.

@Redlad

@Riff Raff

 Politics have no place in sports. That’s why I watch sports to give me an escape from all that crap. It belongs on a different platform.

riff raffs comment of not allowing Russian NHL players to participate is just ridiculous. Ovi is a perfect example. He has condemned the Ukrainian invasion and wants peace. So should we ban him from playing? Use your brain riff raff 

So you would punish opposing Russian players for the actions of the psychopathic authoritarian leader of their country? They can't do anything to stop him. They can't speak out against him because that's not a good idea when they have family members who live in Russia. These Russian players are surely already dealing with abuse and shunning for something that isn't their doing at all, and you would add to that if you could. Why?

@Redlad

Your first post did not offend me. Neither did your second one. I don't care either way about this topic or about you. Nothing about my post was trolling. Your reaction to it shows your level of intelligence. I will gladly get lost from your thread, which itself is in fact completely useless, just like any attempt to make sense of internet tough guys like you would be.   

What if it's not about fear, Riff Raff? What if it has nothing to do with fear of LGBT people? What if it's about refusing to be forced to PARTICIPATE in the pushing of a political ideology that you don't believe in, and may even despise? 

What if you were an NHL player and your team was expected to wear themed jerseys during warmups that supported some political cause that you, Riff Raff, personally opposed? Would you meekly wear the jersey anyways?