Heading into the 2023 season, the NHL seemed to be set on moving forward with a ban on players using rainbow pride tape on their sticks. But after pushback from players and the media.
According to a report from Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet, the NHL has changed its rules and agreed to allow players to support social causes with their stick tape, including the Pride tape that was previously banned by the league.
“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 said in a post 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
This move comes after multiple players made moves to ignore the league’s ban.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton told reporters earlier this month that he still planned to use Pride Tape despite the league’s ban and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott used Pride Tape during this week’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
With this ruling, Laughton, Dermott, and anyone else throughout the league will be free to use the Pride Tape throughout the remainder of the 2023 season.
