Heading into the 2023 NHL season, it looked like the league was intent on trying to ban Pride Tape – rainbow stick tape that players put on their sticks in support of the LGBTQ community. But after some successful pushback from players and the media, it looks like the league has changed its mind about the ban.
As first reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the NHL has agreed to rescind its ban on Pride Tape, allowing players to support social causes with their stick tape – including the rainbow Pride Tape.
“There is word the NHL, NHLPA and NHL Player Inclusion Coalition have agreed that players will have the option to represent social causes with stick tape throughout the season. This includes games and practices,” Friedman wrote on X, the social network that was formerly known as Twitter.
The move comes after Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott chose to ignore the ban and used Pride Tape during Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
It’s a pretty major announcement, and the NHL world had a lot to say about it on social media as a result.
https://twitter.com/313Hockey/status/1716856314746351829?s=20
This officially ends what was widely seen across the country as an extremely controversial move by the NHL.
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