'I know in our organisation, everyone's welcome,' says defenceman Quinn Hughes
The Canadian Press
The Vancouver Canucks will wear themed warm-up sweaters when they host the Calgary Flames for their annual Pride celebration game Friday.
The team announced Wednesday that the sweaters will be designed by a local artist, and that a $20,000 donation will be made to QMUNITY, which is a Vancouver non-profit that supports LGBTQ people and their allies.
The move comes as controversy over Pride uniforms continues to bubble around the league. A handful of players — including Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, and Buffalo Sabres blue liner Ilya Lyubushkin — have declined to wear Pride-themed sweaters. Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes says there wasn't debate in the dressing room about wearing them. "I think everyone in this room is looking forward to it," he said. "And I know in our organisation, everyone's welcome. "Every time we've done Pride night, I've worn the jersey and celebrated the night." Canucks president of business operations Michael Doyle said in a statement that celebrating the LGBTQ community is important to the entire organisation. "Pride night and all the incredible activities that highlight this evening, is special for a number of reasons," he said. "Besides raising awareness and understanding, it also lets our fan base know that everyone is welcome here at Rogers Arena. Our club believes strongly in diversity and inclusion, and we look forward to celebrating these core values with our community."
More work needed to make hockey safe for LGBTQ people, says former pro player
Controversy 'just a testament that we have to build up community,' says Brock McGillis
Gemma Smith · The Canadian Press ![]() Buffalo Sabres players wear special warm up sweaters commemorating Pride Night before playing the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Sabres defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin was one of a handful of players around the league who opted out from wearing a Pride sweater, citing concerns of retribution in his home country of Russia. (Adrian Kraus/The Associated Press)
NHL players refusing to participate in Pride nights around the league shows hockey still isn't safe for a number of LGBTQ people, says one of the first male professional players to publicly come out as gay.
Brock McGillis is working to change the sport he loves through a new non-profit, Alphabet Sports Collective, which looks to make hockey safer for people of all sexualities and gender identities. "I think [the Pride night controversy] is just a testament that we have to build up community and work with our members to feel good," said McGillis, who played in the Ontario Hockey League, the United Hockey League and in the Netherlands. "The more people are exposed to those that are different than themselves, the more likely they are to not judge, not be anti-LGBTQ+. We lack exposure in this world, we lack identities in this world. So by getting young adults and adults out there, the exposure itself will hopefully help people critically think about what they're doing and the impact it has on people they know." 'That player believes that those team mates hate him' *********************************************************** NHL teams have long held annual Pride nights to celebrate LGBTQ people and promote inclusivity, but controversy has bubbled this season as an increasing number of players have refused to take part. In mid-January, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov sat out warm-ups — and declined to wear a Pride sweater — citing his Russian Orthodox religion. Others around the league have followed suit. San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, and Eric and Marc Staal, who both play for the Florida Panthers, said earlier this month they wouldn't wear their team's rainbow-themed uniforms in warm-ups due to their religious beliefs. Buffalo Sabres defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin said Monday he was opting out due to concerns of retribution in his home country of Russia. The New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago all decided not to don Pride warm-up sweaters for their celebratory games. Closeted hockey players are hurt by these decisions, McGillis said. "That player believes that those teammates hate him," he said. "I'm telling you that because I was that player. That player is further in the closet today." Importance of Pride Nights ******************************* Other NHL teams have continued with big Pride celebrations, with high-profile players speaking out in support. "To me, it's an obvious no brainer. If I were in that position, I would wear one," said Oilers forward Zach Hyman. "It doesn't go against any of my beliefs. On the contrary, I think it's extremely important to be open and welcoming to that greater community, just because they're a minority and they've faced a lot of persecution over the years (you tell 'em, jewboy!). "To show that we care and that we're ready and willing to include them in our game and in our sport is incredibly important to me." Edmonton has not worn themed sweaters for its Pride games, but players used rainbow stick tape during warm-ups ahead of its annual celebration Saturday. "I know here in Edmonton, we strongly believe hockey is for everyone and strongly support Pride night," said captain Connor McDavid.
The Calgary Flames are set to wear Pride sweaters designed by a local LGBTQ artist when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Coach Darryl Sutter said the uniforms haven't been an issue for the team. "I think all it signifies is everything is accepted," said the veteran bench boss. The Canucks are set to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community on Friday when they host the Flames. Vancouver has worn Pride warm-up sweaters in previous years, but the team has yet to reveal whether the tradition will continue, saying in a statement Tuesday that details on different elements of the night will be released "closer to the date." "We have had a long and proud history of hosting Pride events and we look forward to another incredible evening on March 31 to raise awareness and support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community," the statement said. Working to promote inclusion ********************************* McGillis didn't think support from high-profile people in the hockey community would matter to him as he and his co-founders worked to get Alphabet Sports Collective off the ground earlier this month. But looking around the launch party in Toronto, he was struck by how many athletes, media personalities and others from around the game were in the room. "Hockey made me want to die. I self harmed. I drank heavily. I struggled. My career derailed from it. It didn't feel like a good space to me," McGillis said. "And then all of a sudden, I'm seeing all these people who represent essentially that world, here saying, `No, we want this to be good for people like you and all people."' Working within the existing hockey community to create change is key, said co-founder Gabriela Ugarte. Alphabet Sports Collective is working to connect ambassadors to promote messages of inclusion, and critically analyse their own language and behaviours, she said. The support the group has received so far has been huge, Ugarte added. "I think it shows that there are people who are across the industry, that there's more of us who want to become an inclusive and equitable space, and that there are people who are willing to do the work," she said. "And we are very appreciative of that." The new non-profit is currently working on connecting people who want to get involved in hockey at a variety of levels with mentors who can help them succeed. That means pairing aspiring coaches with veterans already working behind the bench, and people who want to sit on boards with those who have experience, McGillis said. "Let's give them tools where they feel good to be a part of the hockey ecosystem in any capacity they want. Whether it's through coaching, sitting on boards, managing teams, playing — whatever it is, let's start giving them tools to take part," he said. "We need more seats."
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