NHL bans use of Pride bar amid new guidelines on private initiatives: sources

NHL players will not be allowed to wear a Pride ribbon on their sticks while on the ice this season as part of a decision made by the Board of Governors in June, multiple league sources confirmed to The athletePierre Lebrun. Outdoor sports Reported for the first time News.

Last week’s league It said It sent two memos to teams outlining its guidelines on what players and teams can do for “special initiatives,” including Pride Night, Black History Night, Hockey Fights Cancer Night, and Military Appreciation Night.

The latest memo said the restrictions cover “on-ice activity” and said “players should be encouraged to express themselves off the ice,” ESPN reported. She also reportedly said that players and teams are allowed to “celebrate and support” niche causes, and host themed groups at games, while players can wear “whatever they want” as long as they adhere to their team’s dress code.

In June, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told team referees that all special evenings were important and should continue, but the uniforms had “become a distraction” and teams would not wear them this season — which begins Tuesday night. Players can “choose the design” of those jerseys, Bettman said, but the new rule was about “what’s on the ice.”

Pride Tape, the company that makes rainbow tape, He said Tuesday She is “deeply disappointed by the NHL’s decision” and hopes the league and teams “once again show a commitment to this important anti-homophobia symbol.”

“Seven years ago, Pride Tip was born out of adversity as a grassroots hockey initiative that remains flexible and optimistic about our plans with hockey clubs, organizations and partners at every level,” the company statement continued. “Despite this setback, we are encouraged by what lies ahead based on our recent conversations from every corner of the sport.”

The NHL’s rules around Pride Nights, specifically, came into the spotlight last season as some players objected to participating in them. Many players and teams have chosen not to wear Pride warm-up jerseys, for religious reasons or safety concerns.

Several Russian players chose not to wear a Pride night jersey to warm up as Russia’s anti-gay laws escalate. Russian players including Buffalo Sabers defenseman Ilya Lyubochkin did not wear jerseys and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, then with the Philadelphia Flyers, sat out warmups entirely. Some teams, such as the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild, have canceled warm-up jackets entirely.

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(Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images)