You have got to be kidding me
It’s 2023 FFS.
Back in June, when they hoped fewer people would be paying attention, the National Hockey League (NHL) put a stop to “cause-based” jersey nights, including pride-themed jerseys.
The league called them a distraction.
Human rights are apparently a distraction from grown men getting paid millions to play a kid’s game while predominately white cis-men also make significant amounts of money from yelling at these men while they play.
Wait, stop! I promise I’m not hating on hockey.
Hockey is my absolute favourite sport. I’ve played since I was 4 years old, starting out in squirts on a team with only one other girl. When I was 7, our city began developing a girls’ hockey league.
We didn’t have enough players for age-based teams, so we played with three lines: youngest, middle, and oldest. Coaches had to line-match so the same-aged players were out at the same time.
I fell in love with the sport. I played competitive hockey as soon as there was an opportunity to do so. I played ‘AA’ in my teens, the highest level available to female players at that time. I played College hockey. I was captain of my women’s team in my 20s.
I love the sport of hockey, but I am beginning to strongly dislike the NHL.
No pride tape allowed
Just last week, the NHL sent a memo out to teams clarifying what will and will not be permitted in terms of “theme nights” this coming season. These guidelines included an outright ban on rainbow pride tape on players’ sticks.
This is in stark contrast to the previous messaging, “hockey is for everyone” the NHL has shared in years past.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Neurodiversity MB to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.