“It sucks that’s not going to be part of the league moving forward. It’s a little weird to me, a little puzzling to me.”
In a startling move that doesn’t seem to make any sense for the National Hockey League’s coffers, its players, and most definitely its fans, the league has banned Pride Tape, as reported by Outsports, an LGBTQ-focused sports journalism website, Oct. 10. Outsports described the ban as “the most stifling, anti-LGBTQ policy any pro sports league in North America has ever issued.”
The ban comes after a tumultuous year for LGBTQ initiatives around the league. Seven players refused to wear a rainbow pride jersey for warmups this past season, with most saying it went against their religious beliefs. Others – Russian players especially – used concern about retaliation from the Russian state as reasoning to opt-out of wearing the jerseys.
What is Pride Tape?
Pride tape is rainbow stick tape that players have previously used in warmups of Pride Night games across the league. The tape is even a partner of the NHL, and was a part of the league’s ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ initiative. The tape was only used for a twenty-minute warmup one game a season.
What is the NHL thinking?
I wish I could answer this question and give you a portal into the minds of the league’s decision-makers. It’s pretty tough to dissect this decision. The banning of Pride Nights themselves was an even weirder decision. At least that one claimed to be objective, though – as other specialty events like Military Appreciation Night, Black History Night, Hockey Fights Cancer Night, St. Patrick’s Day, and Women’s History Night will also no longer be allowed specialty jerseys or displays in warmups.
If that sentence reads like it should appear in an Onion or Tomato article, it’s because it truly sounds closer to satire than reality. Jerseys from these events were auctioned off to fundraise for these initiatives. The auctions were a way the league could make headway in these areas and create real change. But short of the auctions, nights like these just allowed fans of all backgrounds to feel included.
Some players, like Leafs star John Tavares and former Leafs defenceman Travis Dermott, even used the tape for more than just Pride Night. Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau played with the tape on his blade for the entire Pride Night game in 2018.
What are players saying?
Shortly after the news broke Flames captain Mikeal Backlund said in a scrum Oct. 10 that “We’re going to support Pride any way we can other than the tape”.
Following a Leafs practice the same day, defenceman Morgan Rielly seemed disappointed in a scrum. “It’s unfortunate. I think as players, as people, and individuals, we’re going to continue to support those people and those caused that we think need it or are worth and very deserving of it. So, I mean, whatever statement [that was made] is fine, but as players we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies, and we want to be a part of this community.”
San Jose Sharks winger Anthony Duclair mentioned that he was also confused by the decision. Duclair told San Jose Hockey Now “I know a lot of guys are supportive of that. I had no problem in the past to do it. It sucks that’s not going to be part of the league moving forward. It’s a little weird to me, a little puzzling to me.”
What’s going to happen?
If you want my guess, I think we’re still going to see players rocking Pride Tape this NHL season. In fact, I’d bet on it. I don’t think the league wants the PR nightmare of fining players for using rainbow tape in warmups. If they do start fining players, I think we’re going to see an outpouring of support for those players who still choose to skirt the ban. At least one player – Philadelphia Flyers centre Scott Laughton – has basically said as much.
I can’t say it any better than longtime hockey executive and LGBTQ rights advocate Brian Burke: “This decision has stripped clubs of a powerful community outreach tool and removed meaningful support for Special Initiatives, all to protect a select few who do not want to answer any questions about their choices. I hope the NHL reconsiders in order to remain a leader in DEI.”
