NHL bans use of hockey Pride tape, issues updated theme night guidance

The NHL sent a memo to teams last week clarifying what players can and cannot do as part of theme celebrations this season, including a ban on using rainbow-coloured stick tape for Pride nights.

The updated guidance reaffirms that on-ice player uniforms and gear for warm-ups and official team practices cannot be altered to reflect theme nights, including Pride, Hockey Fights Cancer or military appreciation.

Players can voluntarily participate in themed celebrations off the ice.

Previously, the NHL had decided not to allow teams to wear any theme jerseys for warm-ups after a handful of players opted out last season.

Several Russian players decided against wearing the Pride night warm-up jersey as Russian anti-gay laws escalated.

Russian players, including Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, did not wear the jersey. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, then on the Philadelphia Flyers, sat out of warm-ups entirely. Some teams, like the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild, scrapped the warm-up sweaters altogether.

Canadian hockey centre Eric Staal and his brother, Marc, refused to wear Pride-themed jerseys in the pre-game warm-ups as a part of the Panthers’ annual Pride Night, citing their Christian faith as the reason for their decision.

Eric Staal did wear a Pride-themed jersey as a member of the Montreal Canadiens during the 2020-21 NHL season.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer, then a member of the San Jose Sharks, also chose not to wear a Pride-themed jersey during warm-ups before a 2023 game.

Citing his Christian faith, Reimer wrote, in part, “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.”

Leafs’ Rielly, GM Treliving respond to ban

Morgan Rielly believes the National Hockey League’s decision to ban Pride tape from league events is “unfortunate,” but the new regulations won’t deter him or the Toronto Maple Leafs from showing support to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

“But I think as players and as people, we’re going to continue to support those people and those causes that we think need it or are worthy and very deserving of it,” Rielly said.

“Whatever statement was made is fine, but as players, we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies. We want to be a part of this community.”

Rielly has been one of several NHLers who routinely wrapped his hockey stick in the rainbow tape for warm-ups during the league’s annual Pride Nights.

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said that both he personally and the Leafs as an organization have always been supporters of the 2SLGPTQ+ community. Memo or no memo.

“Nothing’s gonna change that,” Treliving said. “We’ll figure out our ways that we make sure that we do the right things and support as we always have and stay true to what we believe in. There’s always challenges in in the world, but that doesn’t affect how we support.”

With files from The Associated Press