NHL Star Faces Backlash For Stance On Pride Movement

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Austin Sabourin
March 29, 2024 (4:54 PM)

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In the 2023 offseason, the NHL made a decision to halt teams from wearing special jerseys for themed nights, sparking some controversy.

This move came after players raised concerns about wearing Pride-themed jerseys due to various reasons, including religious beliefs and political considerations.

Despite this decision, some teams like the Chicago Blackhawks continued their Pride Night traditions, with players like Connor Bedard showing support by using rainbow-colored tape on their sticks during warmups.

Veterans Seth Jones and Nick Foligno emphasized the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community beyond just wearing jerseys. They stressed the need for respect and unity among players.

"I think it's wonderful," Foligno said. "I think it's great that our league still does that. The biggest thing is everyone has different beliefs, but at the end of the day, you should be able to voice what yours is in a respectful way. It's an opportunity for us to shed light on a group of people that has felt they need more of that. So it's a great opportunity for us to do that if you feel the need to do so. It's a nice way to take on leadership yourself, whatever you feel your beliefs are. I think that's a great way to grow as a person. So if that's an important part for you, then stand up and do it and and I think everyone's there to support each other."

Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed concerns that the essence of Pride Nights was getting overshadowed by arguments about jerseys. Foligno echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of respectful expression and mutual support among players.

However, amidst these positive sentiments, Bedard faced backlash from online comments by 'fans', shedding light on the ongoing challenges and negativity within the hockey community.

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