NHLers respond to league ban on Pride Tape: 'I wish the players had the right to do more'

The NHL already banned themed warmup jerseys over the summer, reacting to the controversy that began with Ivan Provorov refusing to wear a Pride jersey during a Philadelphia Flyers warmup last winter. Now, the league is doubling down on its aversion to having its athletes publicly support causes in-game settings.

As reported by ESPN’s Ryan Clark, the NHL sent a memo to all 32 of its franchises last week clarifying some of its rules relating to special initiatives. Among the explanations in the memo, a source told ESPN, was that “Players and teams are allowed to ‘celebrate and support’ specialty causes. Teams are also allowed to host the groups at games while players have the freedom to wear ‘whatever they want’ as long as it falls within the guidelines of each team’s respective dress code.”

As reported by Outsports this week, however, the clarifications in the memo also included a ban on players putting Pride Tape on their sticks — in warmups, games and practices.

It’s one thing to back out of any initiatives mandating or encouraging player participation regardless of their beliefs; it’s another to enforce a rule preventing a specific and iconic expression of support for a cause among the athletes who genuinely want to take part.

Early reactions among leaders in the hockey community in the wake of the Outsports report have been critical of the NHL’s new policy.

“I wish players had the right to do more and be more involved…. I’m going to continue to be involved in the community and offer support to those communities and those groups that want that, need that,” Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said Tuesday, as reported by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

“It sucks,” Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson told TSN’s Salim Nadim Valji. It’s something that’s close to my heart and something I would love to support, but it is what it is.”

As reported by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, the makers of Pride Tape have expressed their public dismay with the ruling, claiming, “The Pride Tape team is extremely disappointed by the NHL’s decision to eliminate Pride Tape from any league on-ice activities. The league has used language in recent days that would prohibit the tape from any proximity to NHL hockey. We hope the league — and teams — will again show commitment to this important goal of combating homophobia.”

While the NHL has not released an official statement responding to backlash over the Pride Tape decision, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly shared some insight to Daily Faceoff on Tuesday.

“Game/practice restrictions don’t interfere with players’ ability to support in other settings,” Daly said in an email. “In fact, we encourage them to. [We] just don’t want to put other player[s] in a tough spot simply because they don’t choose to join.”