Following several incidents this season involving players and teams declining to participate in Pride-themed nights, the Chicago Blackhawks have become the latest to cancel plans.
According to the Associated Press, the Blackhawks, who’ve previously worn Pride jerseys, decided as a team to back out this season, citing a possible backlash against Russian players and their families following the passing of a new law.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in December that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQIA+ rights in the country,” the AP’s report said. “Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russian and other connections to the country.”
The Blackhawks’ move away from celebrating Pride night comes only a week after San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer declined to wear a rainbow-colored warmup jersey, citing religious reasons.
Reimer isn’t the only player to outwardly express his views. In January, Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Ivan Provorov refused to participate in the team’s Pride-themed night, citing his Russian Orthodox faith.
In response to Reimer and Provorov, the Sharks and Flyers reemphasized their support and commitment to inclusivity.
While Reimer and Provorov were seemingly outliers on their respective clubs, the New York Rangers and Islanders recently decided to back out of Pride night festivities.
Pride nights in the NHL are nothing new. However, with the rise of LGBTQIA+ awareness, it’s naturally become a more highly debated topic in NHL locker rooms. The issue isn’t likely to resolve itself soon, so dialog, genuine and not, is bound to continue.
Much focus has been on players and teams backing out of Pride-themed nights. However, there is plenty of support coming from within the NHL.
Earlier this week, longtime executive and current Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke voiced his disappointment in Reimer and others’ decision.
“A player wearing Pride colors or tape isn’t endorsing a set of values or enlisting in a cause!” Burke said via TSN. “He is saying you are welcome here, and you are in every single NHL building.”
A few days after Burke’s emotional response, Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn echoed his message to Bally Sports, adding, “Everyone’s welcome in our room.”
