The NHL's decision to ban the use of rainbow-coloured stick tape for Pride Nights around the league left many players disappointed and confused.
Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed on Tuesday that an updated guidance was sent to the league that reaffirms on-ice player uniforms and gear for games, warm-ups and official team practices cannot be altered to reflect theme nights, including Pride, Hockey Fights Cancer or military appreciation celebrations.
And while players can still voluntarily participate in themed celebrations off the ice, for some players, it felt like a step in the wrong direction.
"It’s unfortunate," said defenceman Morgan Rielly, who has shown his support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the past. "But I think as players and as people, “We’re going to continue to support those people and those causes that we think need it or are worthy and very deserving of it. Whatever statement was made is fine, but as players, we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies. We want to be a part of this community."
His statement for continued support was echoed by a number of players around the league, including new Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund.
"We're going to support Pride any way we can other than the tape," Backlund said Tuesday.
Backlund's teammate Jonathan Huberdeau, who was one of the first players to use the now-banned Pride tape in a game, said while he won't disobey the league's new rules, he still fully supports the 2SLGBTQ+ community and the Pride movement.
"I fully supported it, and still support it," Huberdeau said. "For me personally I still support it, and if I get the chance to do it, I'll do it."
Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner knows that because of the new guidelines, the support players and organizations show for the 2SLGBTQ+ community will have to change, but it doesn't mean they will stop being allies.
"That's something that I think a lot of people in our organization take pride in and have supported that community for a long time," Marner said on the Jeff Marek Show Tuesday. "I know I have a lot of friends, I've got family, so that's something close to my heart. I think I've said before, but everyone in this world should be able to express themselves as best as possible, and love who they love. They shouldn't be looked at any differently... It's unfortunate, but it is what it is. We're still obviously going to support those communities, and still got a lot of love for them."
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, Marner's new boss, had a very similar reaction to his star forward and knows his organization will still find a way to show support, regardless of the new rules.
“Nothing’s gonna change that,” Treliving said. “We’ll figure out our ways that we make sure that we do the right things and support as we always have and stay true to what we believe in. There’s always challenges in the world, but that doesn’t affect how we support.”
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said the team will also continue to support the Pride movement while also abiding by the league's new guidelines.
"I think this organization has done a lot of good things in the community... and we will continue to do that," Allvin said on Tuesday. "But we definitely follow the league rules and what they are telling us."
In many ways, the NHL's decision to outlaw Pride tape is a step in the wrong direction for a league insistent on its desire to grow the game of hockey.
But with the continued support of some of the sport's biggest names, even the creators of the Pride Tape can still see a path to a more inclusive future.
“The Pride Tape team is extremely disappointed by the NHL’s decision,” the makers of Pride Tape said in a statement. “Despite this setback, we are encouraged for what lies ahead based on our recent conversations from every corner of the sport."
-- With filed from the Associated Press
