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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.