Luke Prokop, a prospect for the Nashville Predators and the first openly gay player under contract in the NHL, lamented the lack of support for LGBTQ “Pride Night” that has pervaded throughout the league.
In a lengthy statement released on Twitter, Prokop wrote that the lack of support for Pride Night “feels like a step back for inclusion.”
“I share the disappointment in what feels like a step back for inclusion in the NHL,” Prokop wrote. “Pride nights and pride jerseys play an important role in promoting respect and inclusion in the LGBTQIA+ community, and it’s disheartening to see some teams no longer wearing them or fully embracing their significance, while the focus of others has become about the players who aren’t participating rather than the meaning of the night itself.”
Luke Prokop, #6 of the Seattle Thunderbirds, skates during second-period action against the Winnipeg ICE at Wayne Fleming Arena on January 11, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
“Everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs but I think it’s important to recognize the difference between endorsing a community and respecting individuals within it,” he continued.
Prokop further believed that Pride Nights provide an “essential step towards fostering greater acceptance and understanding in hockey.”
“For all 13 years of my NHL career, I have been a Christian — not just in title, but in how I choose to live my life daily. I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and follow him,” he said.
James Reimer, #47 of the San Jose Sharks, takes reps during warm-ups at SAP Center on March 11, 2023, in San Jose, California. (Andreea Cardani/NHLI via Getty Images)
“I have no hate in my heart for anyone, and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness. In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life,” he added.
NHL Pride Nights became a hot topic of conversation earlier this year when Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to participate in his team’s Pride Night due to his orthodox Christian faith, sparking outrage from leftists who proceeded to accuse him of bigotry and homophobia. However, the Philadelphia Flyers kept him in the lineup and the team even went on to win the game against the Anaheim Ducks.
“I respect everybody, and I respect everybody’s choices,” he said after the game. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
#Flyers Ivan Provorov on his Pride Night pregame boycott :
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” pic.twitter.com/YSFKvkyEJC— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) January 18, 2023
As Breitbart News reported, the New York Rangers followed the Provorov controversy by hosting its own Pride Night without the aforementioned rainbow jerseys.
“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 support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs,” the Rangers said at the time.