The Minnesota wild Calgary hosted its second annual Pride Night against the Flames on Tuesday, but players wore Pride-themed jerseys as usual during warmups, reportedly an “organizational decision.”
After first advertising that the players will wear Rainbow jersey Players on the ice were seen wearing only rainbow-colored tape and themed pucks before the game, in warmups to be signed and auctioned off in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Kirill Kaprizov, #97 of the Minnesota Wild, skates with the puck while McKenzie Wieger, #52 of the Calgary Flames defends during the game at Excel Energy Center on March 7, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (By Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI Getty Images)
According to The Athletic , it was an “organizational decision,” but a team statement before the puck drop offered some clarity on the call.
The Rangers bailed on wearing LGBTQ-themed warmup jerseys on Pride night
“The Minnesota Wild organization is proud to continue our support for the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Queer, Asexual) community by hosting our second annual Pride Night tonight in a number of ways. Celebrating with. To show all players, fans, and the LGBTQIA+ community that hockey is for everyone.”
According to the report, the mention of the auction was also clearly visible from the team’s website.
Wild players first wore Pride-themed jerseys during Pride Night in 2022.
Matt Boldy, #12 of the Minnesota Wild, warms up wearing a Pride Night jersey before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xcel Energy Center on March 29, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (By Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI Getty Images)
Fans were shown what the jersey looked like before the start of the first period, when Jack Jablonski, a defining figure in Minnesota hockey who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while playing in high school and was also openly gay, was shown. . on the jumbotron wearing it.
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The Wild’s decision not to wear themed jerseys follows several teams and players who have recently opted out. The NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative.
Earlier this year, defense personnel Ivan Provorov decided to leave it Philadelphia Flyers Pre-game warmups, when players wore Pride-them jerseys referencing their religious beliefs.
The NHL released a statement at the time supporting Provorov’s decision, while saying it would “continue to promote their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”
Ivan Provorov, #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers wears a camouflage jersey in honor of Military Appreciation Night against the Minnesota Wild on November 11, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Getty Images via Len Redkoles/NHLI)
“Clubs decide who to celebrate, when and how — with league advice and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we want their voice and perspective on social and cultural issues. continue to encourage.”
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In January, the New York Rangers The entire team did the same, opting not to wear jerseys in warmups.
“Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community, and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride Night. In keeping with our organization’s core values, we respectfully express our beliefs.” We support the individual rights of every person,” the Rangers told Fox News Digital in a statement.
