In a bold act of defiance, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott has become the first player to openly challenge the NHL’s Pride Tape ban. During the team’s home opener on Saturday night, Dermott took to the ice wearing the banned rainbow-colored duct tape, making a powerful statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
League officials have announced that they will review the incident for a possible violation of their policy. The Coyotes, however, have yet to receive any word of possible disciplinary action from the league.
This incident comes after a heated debate over the use of Pride Tape and special jerseys in the NHL. Last season, several players expressed their opposition to participating in Pride Night celebrations, sparking controversy in the league.
In response, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that themed jerseys would no longer be worn on the ice, as they had become a distraction from the true purpose of these nights. However, the league further tightened its grip just before the start of the regular season by issuing a memo to teams, stating that the use of Pride Tape would also be prohibited during warmups and games.
Despite the league’s stance, Dermott’s decision to challenge the new policy has drawn support from several prominent players, including Edmonton Oilers star and Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid. McDavid expressed his disappointment at the ban on special jerseys and called for their return.
On the other hand, Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand believes players should be able to support causes they believe in, but doesn’t think they should be used to push political agendas.
As the Coyotes prepare to host Pride Night on Friday, the controversy surrounding the use of Pride tape continues to unfold. Pride Tape co-founder Jeff McLean revealed that Dermott recently placed an order for more rainbow stick tape, signaling his commitment to using it throughout the season.
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