Hockey Fans Rip NHL For Banning Pride Tape On Players' Sticks

Vancouver Canucks' hockey stick rainbow tape shown on ice. — VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 22: The Vancouver Canucks tape their sticks with rainbow tape for the pre-game warm up to celebrate “Hockey is for Everyone” prior to the start of NHL action against against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena on March 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

The NHL made another controversial decision on Tuesday that completely contradicts their “Hockey Is For Everyone” message.

Last week. ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark reported that the league sent a memo to all 32 clubs to outline what they were able to do “with special initiatives such as Pride Night.’

NEWS: The NHL sent an updated memo to teams Thursday clarifying what they can do this season with special initiatives such as Pride Night.

A source told ESPN that several teams sought clarity as the first memo was deemed to be confusing and restrictive. https://t.co/H4Br0S3w45
— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) October 6, 2023

Per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press, the memo featured ” a ban on the use of rainbow-colored stick tape for the Pride nights.” The memo has controversially put a ban on special themed nights like Pride Night, Hockey Fights Cancer and Military appreciation nights, Whyno added.

Hockey fans and analysts expressed disgust, disappointment and confusion over the league’s ban on Pride hockey tape:

The NHL washing its hands of Pride warmup jerseys was disappointing and cowardly but predictable.

The Pride Tape ban is next level.

They aren’t even hiding it anymore.

“Hockey is For Everrrr-yeah, no, we just don’t care about you, sorry, we can’t fake this any longer.”
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) October 10, 2023

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Almost exactly one year ago today the NHL published a first-ever Diversity & Inclusion Report.

The report was "part of a growing culture of accountability, transparency, and commitment to meaningful progress."

Today we learned that Pride Tape is banned in the NHL.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) October 10, 2023

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The fact that the NHL is forbidding pride tape in games, warm-ups qnd practices is sickening. It’s not about giving the players who want to take part in it a chance – it’s silencing queer voices, and it’s protecting homophobes and transphobes. It’s clear where the NHL stands.
— mio the witch (@flyerswitch) October 9, 2023

Gary Bettman has once again failed the game. This abhorrent backsliding by banning pride tape goes against the very essence of “Hockey is for Everyone”. I’m disgusted. https://t.co/A266DKRWOS
— Allan Walsh? (@walsha) October 10, 2023

actually convinced gary bettman wakes up every day and tries to think of ways to make people hate him more
— Swaydaddy (@dmichael_) October 9, 2023

The NHL is run by gutless cowards, part 376.

Always amazed when a sport steeped in “big tough men” culture gets scared by deeper thoughts then giving it 110% and if only a couple of bounces had just gone their way. https://t.co/gslma1CHkj
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) October 9, 2023

theres a reason that the nhl is less popular than the other american pro sports. its because the league is run by a group of cowards so afraid of a small few that the ban pride tape
— cor ?️‍?? (@arsonandhockey) October 9, 2023

Because 7 players were too afraid to wear Pride jerseys, the NHL banned even the smallest of gestures that would show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

This is pathetic. This is cowardly. This is a massive step backwards.
— Michaela Schreiter (@Schreids) October 9, 2023

There’s a reason “Hockey Is For Everyone” as a message pisses me off.

It’s not. Hockey isn’t for everyone. But hockey *should be* for everyone.

Pretending it currently is, is disingenuous and enables the NHL to ban pride tape, refuse to collaborate with the HDA, and much more.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) October 9, 2023

Just catching up on this story now. So disappointed with the league's decision here regarding banning NHL players from using Pride Tape.
Like, why?? Just ridiculous. So wrong. https://t.co/yQSjJRnQyk
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 10, 2023

Despite the bans, Toronto Maple Leafs’ star defenseman Morgan Rielly and general manager Brad Treliving stated that they’ll continue to stay active in helping the communities.

Morgan Rielly on banning of pride tape: “I wish players had the right to do more and be more involved…. I'm going to continue to be involved in the community and offer support to those communities and those groups that want that, need that.”
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) October 10, 2023

Asked about the NHL's decision to ban players from using Pride tape this season, #leafs GM Brad Treliving says: "We'll make sure we continue to find our ways to do the right things to support (that cause)."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 10, 2023

Last season, several notable NHL players decided against wearing pride-themes jerseys in warmups for games. This included San Jose Sharks’ goaltender James Reimer, brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks’ winger Andrei Kuzmenko.

Even though the vast majority of players were happy to wear the pride-themed jerseys, the league still decided to put a ban on these uniforms and even hockey tape.

With the NHL putting a ban on special themed events like Pride Night, it’s simply fair to ask where commissioner Gary Bettman and the league office truly stand in their “Hockey Is For Everyone” message.

Social Media Is Destroying The NHL For Banning “Pride Tape” On Players’ Sticks: “Gutless Cowards”