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Stop me if you’ve heard this one: hockey fans are furious at the NHL over its seemingly mindless decision-making.
The latest iteration of this story comes after a report emerged that the league planned to ban the use of rainbow pride stick tape for the 2023-24 season.
That decision comes after several controversies a season ago over players deciding to opt out from their team’s individual pride nights.
Ivan Provorov, formerly of the Philadelphia Flyers and now playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets, was the first player to do so.
But many others followed.
“After many thoughts, prayers and discussions we have chosen not to wear a pride jersey tonight,” brother Eric and Marc Staal said prior to the Florida Panthers’ pride night. “We carry no judgement on how people choose to live their lives, and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey.
“Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a pride jersey it goes against our Christian beliefs. We hope you can respect this statement, we will not be speaking any further on this matter and would like to continue to focus on the game and helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup.”
Oddly enough, Eric Staal had worn the pride warmup jersey on several other occasions and did not spontaneously burst into flames.
Players, of course, have every right to feel how they would like to feel about the matter.
But the league completely shutting down the initiative is nothing short of cowardice.
And fans were quick to let the league know how they felt.
The NHL is run by gutless cowards, part 376.
Always amazed when a sport steeped in “big tough men” culture gets scared by deeper thoughts then giving it 110% and if only a couple of bounces had just gone their way. https://t.co/gslma1CHkj
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) October 9, 2023
“How can the NHLPA be OK with this,” Scott Wheeler of The Athletic tweeted. “They went to bat for the players who wanted to bow out, as you’d expect a union to. And now what for the many more who were eager to use things like the tape? And what about unionized members who are gay? What messages does this send to them?”
“The NHL used to be a leader in inclusion — not great at it, but ahead of the pro sports curve. Incredibly disappointing to see the league continue to cave to a handful of homophobes,” wrote Mark Lazerus.
“What a pathetic, cowardly league that seems intent on catering to the most pathetic, cowardly people,” another fan stated.
Something tells us this isn’t the end of discussion on the topic.