NHL News
NHL Lifts Pride Tape Ban, Hockey World Reacts After Messy Overstep
The NHL has rescinded its ban on Pride Tape and the hockey world is reacting to what many thought was a massive overstep.
In a significant victory for inclusivity and acceptance in the world of professional hockey, the NHL has officially lifted its ban on Pride Tape. The league’s initial decision to ban the tape, a symbol of support for the LGBTQ+ community, had sparked controversy and criticism. However, following widespread opposition from players, and specifically a player ignoring the ban and using the tape anyway, owners, sponsors, media, and fans, the NHL has reconsidered its stance.
Prominent hockey insider Pierre LeBrun confirmed the reversal, stating that the league had rescinded the ban on Pride Tape. Chris Johnston of TSN also corroborated the news, anticipating an official announcement soon. Notably, it was Travis Dermott, a player for the Arizona Coyotes, who defied the ban and used Pride Tape in a recent game. His act of protest likely contributed to the league’s change of heart. Dermott said, “It’s easy to forget that it’s a battle if it’s not in front of you. He added, “If you don’t see it every day, if it’s swept under the rug, if it’s just hidden from the naked eye, it’s easy to forget that there’s a group of people that don’t feel like they belong because the majority of people do feel like they belong.”
He figured the one game was enough to draw attention to the cause and hadn’t planned on using the tap again. He didn’t want to cause problems for the Coyotes’ organization. Now, he doesn’t have to worry.
The decision to revoke the ban was met with gratitude from the Pride Tape community, which expressed appreciation for the support received from individuals advocating for a safe and inclusive environment in hockey. The organization welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of allowing NHL players to voluntarily represent crucial social causes, including LGBTQ+ rights, through their stick tape.
The organization wrote on their social media account:
We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season
Player agent Allan Walsh highlighted the power of collective action, noting that feedback from various stakeholders, including owners, sponsors, players, media, and fans, played a pivotal role in the NHL’s decision to backtrack on the ban. The league’s attempt to enforce the ban seemed odd, especially given the existing NHL rulebook, which allows the use of “tape of any color” on a stick.
One Twitter user wrote, “All it took was Travis Dermott being that dude and the NHL completely backed down. NEVER forget how the NHL was threatening to punish players for pride tape. What an embarrassing saga for hockey.”
NHL Made the Right Call, Even If It Took Pressure To Do So
While the exact reasons for the ban reversal remain unclear, it appears that public pressure and the resolve of those within the hockey community have prevailed, reaffirming the sport’s commitment to inclusivity and acceptance for all players, regardless of their background or identity.
At the very least, players should be allowed to support the causes they so choose, assuming those causes aren’t promoting hate or of a dangerous nature. That the NHL was trying to silence those who felt it important to stand up for the cause was a huge overstep and something they should have known was going to backfire.
Next: Maple Leafs Scratching Fraser Minten Before Likely Goodbye
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
