Oilers ready to gear up for Pride night, say 'Hockey is for everyone'
Players with the Edmonton Oilers say they are committed to celebrating Pride on Saturday night when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place.
Captain Connor McDavid and right winger Zach Hyman both said they strongly support the team's participation in Pride events.
"It's important to show that hockey players care and we're inclusive," Hyman told reporters Friday. "I just think it's just extremely important that we make hockey a welcoming environment for everyone and tomorrow's a good night to be able to show that.
"Taping your stick is a small thing you can do to show your support."
The comments come amid recent high-profile decisions by some NHL members to not wear Pride-themed jerseys during warm up. That includes the entire Chicago Blackhawks team who said the decision was made over safety concerns for Russian players.
"I certainly can't comment on another player and their beliefs and other organizations and what they're up to, [but] I know here in Edmonton we strongly believe hockey is for everyone and strongly support Pride night," McDavid said. "I look forward to it."
Other players in the NHL have refused to don the Pride jerseys because of religious reasons. Hyman said he disagrees with those decisions and thinks gearing up for Pride night is a "no-brainer."
"If I was in that position, I'd wear one. It doesn't go against any of my beliefs," Hyman said. "On the contrary, I think it's extremely important to be open and welcoming to that greater community. . . and to show that we care and that we're willing and ready to include them."
The Oilers were the first team in the NHL to use Pride tape, and have been using the sticky stuff since 2016. On Saturday the team will decorate their sticks with the wrap for their pregame warm up, to be auctioned off at a later date.
The proceeds from the Pride sticks, as well as Saturday night's 50-50, will be donated to MacEwan University's Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
A number of local LGBTQ2S+ community leaders will also be attending the game, and will head onto the ice for the national anthem.
"This night is [about] recognizing the work of the community leaders who have dedicated much of their lives to shifting the paradigm of diversity, equity and inclusion," said Tim Shipton, EVP of the Oilers Entertainment Group, in a press release. "This is about honouring the true heroes of this story, and it is thanks to them that one day kids of any identity or background will be able to grow up in Oil Country proud of who they are and who they love without fear of exclusion or abuse."
With files from the Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.