The puck is finally set to drop on the 2023-24 NHL season, and many questions lie ahead for hockey fans. Can prized rookie Connor Bedard help take the Chicago Blackhawks to a title? Can the Las Vegas Golden Knights repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? Can the Tampa Bay Lightning rediscover that Cup magic? However, as usual, social justice issues are spoiling the fun of a professional sport.
Last season, the NHL took sweeping measures to nip a growing problem in the bud. Many of the players in the league hail from European countries. Some, like Russian Orthodox Ivan Provorov, strongly disagreed with certain league mandates, especially in terms of forced participation in Pride celebrations.
The former Philly Flyer and current Columbus Blue Jacket felt so strongly that he refused to wear the mandated rainbow-themed warmup jersey, instead opting to sit out the activity. In response, while most sports leagues would fine or suspend players who refused to bow a knee, the NHL took the bold step of regulating all themed events league-wide.
Instead of just singling out pride-themed events, the league went so far as to regulate ALL themed events, including Veterans and First Responder Appreciation Night and Hockey Fights Cancer events. While players are encouraged to celebrate however they want off the ice, the use of props, themed clothing, and other paraphernalia on the ice is prohibited.
What should have been regarded as a fair and equitable solution to a problem is instead being criticized as homophobic. It remains to be seen if any veterans or cancer survivors are protesting, but the lgbtq community is up in arms.
As the puck is set to drop on the new season, the NHL has had to clarify its policy, thus banning the use of so-called pride tape on players’ sticks. Jeff McLean, a spokesperson for Pride Tape, said the company is “extremely disappointed by the NHL’s decision” to bounce their rainbow product from NHL games under the new rule clarification.
Truth be told, McClean is likely more upset about the loss of revenue for such a niche product. He went on to say: “We hope the league — and teams — will again show commitment to this important symbol of combating homophobia. Many of the players themselves have been exceptional advocates for the tape.”
Back on October 5th of last year, the league issued a statement to all teams clarifying which “special initiatives” each team could observe. Pride night was included, and dress code rules were instituted. The new clarification deals with symbols on ice that aren’t necessarily dress-code related, like the aforementioned tape.
An LGBTQ sports outlet called “Outsports” also reported: “Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate (or where they may be appearing to demonstrate) personal support for any Special Initiatives. A factor that may be considered in this regard includes, for example, whether a Player (or Players) is required to be in close proximity to any groups or individuals visibly or otherwise clearly associated with such Special Initiative(s).”
It is still unclear what “close proximity” really means, but the league is very clear that they won’t force players to participate in something that might go against their moral or religious beliefs. While that should be hailed as a common-sense, fair approach, especially where religious beliefs are concerned, special interest groups are still recoiling against the league mandate.
It remains to be seen how this will eventually play out, but credit the league for recognizing that the vast majority of folks want their sports separated from their politics and special interest groups. For now, at least, the NHL is sticking to strictly hockey on the ice.