Pride Tape’s creators are “extremely disappointed” by the NHL’s decision to prohibit players from using rainbow-colored stick tape in support of the LGBTQ+ community this season.
“In recent days, the league has used language that would prohibit the tape from being anywhere near NHL hockey.” “We hope the league – and teams – will once again demonstrate their commitment to this important symbol of anti-homophobia,” Pride Tape said in a statement.
In June, the NHL declared that clubs would no longer be permitted to wear “specialty” jerseys during warmups, practices, or games. The unilateral suspension came after some players refused to participate in warmups when their teams donned Pride night jerseys. Defenseman Ivan Provorov, of the Philadelphia Flyers at the time, was the first to opt out in January, citing his Russian Orthodox faith. Individual clubs, like the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Chicago Blackhawks, elected not to have any players wear Pride jerseys in warmups due to these complaints.
The prohibition on “specialty” jerseys extends beyond Pride evenings to include jerseys promoting causes such as Hockey Fights Cancer and jerseys recognizing Black and Latino heritage months as well as military appreciation.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the league’s new policy has been “terribly misunderstood and mis-portrayed” and that the league still welcomes “specialty nights where groups of all different types are honored and consciousness is raised.” The NHL also makes donations to organizations participating in the specialized evenings.
“What happened last year was that the issue of who wanted to wear a specific uniform on a specific night overshadowed everything our clubs were doing.” “So instead of having that distraction and having our players have to decide whether or not they wanted to do something or not do something and be singled out, we said, ‘Let’s not touch that,’” Bettman told ESPN Radio’s “UnSportsmanLike” on Tuesday.
“Anything related to the game or off the ice.” “Our teams and players are constantly encouraged to give back to their communities and get involved in causes that are important to them,” he said. “But I believe what we did was remove the distraction.” As a result, we can now focus on the issues we wish to spotlight.”
The NHL published a letter to clubs last week clarifying what players were permitted to do during theme night festivities this season. Although athletes may willingly engage in off-ice themed festivities, the amended advice restated that on-ice player clothes and gear used during warmups, official team practices, and games cannot be changed to match “specialty” theme evenings.
According to an NHL official, Pride tape has been authorized for years as an exemption to the league’s stick tape guidelines, which would ordinarily allow players to use either black or white tape. The league said that the current Pride tape restriction is in place to prevent clubs and players from utilizing it as a “end around” to breach the new uniform regulation.
Stickers and ribbons are likewise prohibited on player clothes, while coaches may wear ribbons.
NHL players’ sticks wrapped with Pride tape were auctioned off by clubs to generate money for charity, similar to game-worn theme night jerseys. A game-worn signed jersey might bring well over $1,500 depending on the athlete. A player’s signed Pride tape stick might cost between $600 and $1,000.
According to Jeff McLean, a co-founder of Pride Tape, the auction profits will assist You Can Play, the NHL’s long-time social action partner; local LGBTQ+ charities in numerous NHL locations; and the gifting of Pride Tape to hockey groups throughout the globe.
Despite the player tape restriction, McLean and the NHL have said that their partnership would continue. The NHL has assisted in the delivery of Pride Tape to several hockey clubs and leagues. This season, Pride Tape plans to be present at Pride Night events around the league.
McLean, who learned of the restriction last week, lauded the league for its participation in expanding the effort. “Pride Tape would not exist without the NHL,” that’s what he claimed.
Six years ago, Pride Tape was established as a symbolic means for players to demonstrate their support for the LGBTQ+ community. NHL players like Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils helped out.
“I’ve expressed disappointment in not being able to wear the various jersey or the tapes … whether that’s Pride tape or pink tape,” McDavid said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Is it something I’d like to see restored one day?” “Indeed,” McDavid said.
McLean, ironically, said that he picked stick tape because he “didn’t want to have something that players had to do” as a team mandate to promote the LGBTQ+ community.
“We knew it wouldn’t be accepted by everyone, but it was a way for players to express themselves,” said McLean, who has previously worked on Pride tape efforts with the Premier Lacrosse League, baseball and softball organizations, and, most recently, a rugby league. “What we learned about the tape is that it was a personal choice by players.”
McLean said he has received no indication that the NHL would review the restriction, which drew significant criticism when Outsports revealed the news on Monday.
“It’s really weird, but I’m actually optimistic about this,” she added. “When the Provorov incident occurred, we had our best 48 hours.” There are a lot of individuals that care.”
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