‘Hockey is for everyone’: Oilers’ McDavid, Hyman support Pride night amid controversy

By Darcy Ropchan

Two Edmonton Oilers stars were vocal about their support for the NHL’s Pride night initiative, amid controversy throughout the league.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid and forward Zach Hyman say they are fully committed to celebrating Pride night when Edmonton hosts the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place Saturday.

The comments came as several players – and the entire Chicago Blackhawks team – have opted out of wearing Pride-themed jerseys in warmup.

“I certainly can’t comment on another player and their beliefs and other organizations and what they’re up to,” McDavid said Friday. “I know here in Edmonton we strongly believe hockey is for everyone and strongly support Pride night. Looking forward to it.

“I think we were the first team to use the Pride tape in warmups so we’re firm believers obviously in the celebration that is the Pride night.”

The Oilers won’t be wearing Pride-themed jerseys in warmup Saturday but will have rainbow-coloured tape on their hockey sticks. The team told CityNews via email they are open to looking at wearing Pride-themed jerseys during warmups next year.


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On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks decided against having players wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys for their upcoming Pride night, citing an anti-gay law in Russia.

Florida’s Eric and Marc Staal, San Jose’s James Reimer and Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov all pointed to their religious beliefs for refusing to take part in warmups.

“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,” the Staal brothers said in a statement Thursday. “Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a Pride jersey, it goes against our Christian beliefs.”

Edmonton winger Hyman called wearing Pride-themed jerseys or hockey tape a “no-brainer.”

“It’s extremely important,” said Hyman. “I’ve been an ambassador for the community for a long time and I just feel like it’s important to show hockey players care and that we’re inclusive. Obviously there are a lot of things going around the league with some guys choosing not to wear jerseys or whatnot, but I think it’s extremely important that we make hockey a welcome environment for everyone.

“I think it’s extremely important to be open and welcoming to that community just because they’re a minority and they’ve faced a lot of persecution over the years, so to show that we care and that we’re willing and ready to include them in our game, in our sport, is extremely important to me.”


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Advocates in Edmonton say Pride nights can go a long way in showing support to a marginalized community in sports.

“It’s amazing that it’s 2023 and we’re still having a discussion about a Pride flag,” said Justin Rotteveel with Team Edmonton Sports Association.

“It’s for people who are in the closet, who are really hesitant, who are saying, ‘I play a sport but I don’t want to come out yet,’ saying there is a space for you.”

—With files from The Associated Press

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