Local teams push ahead with Pride events as NHL faces criticism

Sport is for everyone.

That has been the mantra of almost every sports league recently, from the majors all the way down to local organizations.

Lately, however, some of the messages put out by professional hockey teams and athletes have been less clear on the issue.

On Tuesday night, the NHL’s Minnesota Wild was supposed to hit the ice in Pride-themed jerseys during the team’s warmup, but the decision was scrapped just hours before the game.

Some players did use Pride-themed stick tape, and Pride pucks were used during warmups, but the jerseys were absent.

Other teams in the NHL, including the New York Rangers and Islanders, have also decided not to wear Pride-themed jerseys. Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov skipped warmups during his team’s Pride night due to his religious beliefs.

The divide has created some concern from members of the Pride community, and local advocate Blake Tait said he was disheartened to hear about the Wild’s decision.

“It sends a message of disrespect,” Tait said, noting the decision might also be seen as accepting “harmful rhetoric” often shared about the community.

Tait said it’s left him wondering if the support was there in the first place when the teams decide to host Pride nights.

“It makes the gesture seem kind of hollow if they decide to scrap the jerseys last minute. Scrapping the symbolism of the community is scrapping your support,” Tait added.

But even though Pride has created some controversy at the highest level of sports, the same may not be said about what’s happening at the local level.

The Saskatoon Blades, Saskatchewan Rush and Saskatchewan Rattlers have all held Pride-themed nights, with the Blades and Rush both wearing Pride jerseys.

“I think sports is for everyone and that’s simply where it ends. So if we can have a small part in making sports more inclusive or safe for people who are marginalized to attend, then that’s what we want to do,” said Brad Kraft, vice-president of the Rattlers.

Kraft added basketball is already a diverse game to begin with, which allows anyone to join in.

“The way it’s presented, the way that you can consume it, the fact that it takes control of music, art, fashion, it’s all really kind of part and parcel of everyday life already,” Kraft said.

He understands that everyone has their own opinion, but as an organization, the Rattlers will continue to support it.

“Just being more inclusive in general I think goes a long way and it’ll be nice when all sports can do that,” he said.

The Rattlers will hold their Pride night on June 9 when they host the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

“The Pride nights have an outpour of support,” Tait said. “There’s an outpour of hatred and misunderstanding, but there’s also an outpour 10 times stronger of support every single time, because you can see what it means to the community.”

He said there are always messages sharing how excited and happy people are that the themed games are being put on by their local teams.

Some teams have even doubled down their support.

The Rush received some backlash after announcing a halftime performance by a Saskatoon drag artist during its Pride night. Just three days after the announcement, the organization showed how much they support it received and the show went ahead as planned.

This is who Rush Nation is! See you all on Feb 25th at SaskTel Centre pic.twitter.com/yVyp3Lbn6p

— Saskatchewan Rush (@SaskRushLAX) February 12, 2023