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.
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
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 24, 2023
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.
Pride Tape is back because Travis Dermott, a completely expendable defenceman on a one-year deal just above the league minimum, had the balls to stand up for his convictions at what could have been at a cost to his career. https://t.co/vOZlwwU6WO pic.twitter.com/Wz2FkJTqa3
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) October 24, 2023
travis dermott made this happen, btw.
the league thought none of the players would try sticking it to them & they were scrambling after it happened.
(don’t forget the last few weeks though. they still banned it. now they gotta walk around with egg on their face) https://t.co/qmXIYdKjzM
— ryan 🛸 (@OTCellyy) October 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/313Hockey/status/1716856314746351829?s=20
Almost like none of this was necessary in the first place. Just more self-inflicted damage by the NHL. https://t.co/AWCtCceq88
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) October 24, 2023
I wanna make it clear that the NHL does not deserve a lick of credit for taking this and theme nights away and only bringing it back after a player dared them to punish him for doing it anyway. https://t.co/n4nagxu3zw
— Riley ! (@male_coded) October 24, 2023
travis dermott made this happen, no one should ever forget that. he may not be the face of the league per say but he will forever be the face of the person brave enough to stand for inclusivity in the league and force the league to change its bigoted rules https://t.co/ssC54WJ2xA
— d (@avsinseider) October 24, 2023
All it took was Travis Dermott being that dude and the NHL completely backed down.
NEVER forget how the NHL was threatening to punish players for pride tape. What an embarrassing saga for hockey. https://t.co/6mxtxMIKUt
— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) October 24, 2023
This officially ends what was widely seen across the country as an extremely controversial move by the NHL.
