Gay players in the nhl

I never think that way, so I can't really relate.”

Mika Zibanejad – New York Rangers

Zibanejad and his wife Irma, a former professional soccer player, have been outspoken allies to the queer community for years now. Even when the Wild joined in on the Pride Night retractions following the Provorov controversy in 2023, Merrill still kept up his outreach efforts, once again meeting with queer fans and ensuring that they felt welcome at the Xcel Center.

“To me it’s a human rights issue,” Merrill saidof his commitment to the cause.

They also began hosting an annual Hockey is For Everyone night in 2017. Since then, Lee-Olsen has spoken openly about the value of living truthfully and has expressed his hope of encouraging other LGBTQ athletes to feel free to be themselves.

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Just like Dermott, it proved once again to be a hollow threat from the NHL. Players continued to show their support for special initiatives like Hockey Fights Cancer, Black History Nights, and Pride for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season. Stephen Finkel

If it were an exclusively gay NHL players list, then Stephen Finkel might not be considered here.

Sometimes it is simple, consistent efforts like these that have a strong impact – letting fans know their favourite athletes support and welcome all at their games.

Scott Laughton — Philadelphia Flyers

Scott Laughton, forward for the Philadelphia Flyers is no stranger to supporting pride initiatives in his sport, though he made headlines when he became one of the first players to state he would defy the NHL’s attempted pride tape ban last year.

“You’ll probably see me with the pride tape on that night,” he said.

He has been an outspoken supporter of the queer community throughout his career. That’s their decision (to not wear the jersey). He’s already added some caps and goals internationally.

It was in 2021 that he was ousted accidentally, according to him, to his coach. Amid the sea of response to his coming out, Matthews took the time to make sure his peer felt welcomed.

“That was one of the only memories I have of that day because it was just so long and so exhausting,” Prokop said.

I show up for my friends so they know they’re safe with me. His son’s legacy continues to this day. It’s to make people feel welcome at the rink.”

In Laughton’s mind, the fact that players chose to sit out warmups is exactly why Pride Night exists in the first place — to open a dialogue that he hopes leads to changed minds over the long term.

“Yeah, you have a handful of guys (who sat out last year), but that’s why you have those nights,’ he said.

After Luke Prokop came out in 2021, the captain issued multiple statements of support, sayingthat, “Our message as a team [is that] we’re obviously very supportive of him. It was amazing.’’

With all the bigotry and hate queer people often encounter in the hockey community, it’s important to remember moments of queer joy like these.

Travis Dermott – Utah Hockey Club

After the NHL began their historic 2023-2024 season by banning Pride Tape, the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in this sport remained in limbo.

“The concierge at his condo called him and was like hey, there’s a big package here for you, can you come down and grab it? We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride Nights.”

It’s no coincidence that the Edmonton Oilers became the first team to use Pride Tape during their annual Skills Competition night in 2016, the first season McDavid played there.

Just this past December, several Oilers including the captain donned Pride Tape while on the road in support of the New Jersey Devils’ annual Pride Night. Slap him with a fine, even a suspension? His recent article for NHL.com addressedthis candidly:

“I show up for my queer wife so she knows I support her even if I still don’t understand what ‘Brat summer’ means.

After his period in Liiga, he moved on to the Mestis (Finland’s second tier) and also spent a full season in France with the Rapaces de Gap.

Beyond his game numbers, Puhakka’s most significant achievement was his historic coming out. His courage had an impact: he hoped that by being honest, even one younger player might feel more able to be themselves.

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After signing with the Minnesota Wild in 2021, he took a lead on the team’s queer initiatives. Would anyone notice? It’s a big step for him and we fully support him.” 

It’s heartwarming to see that kind of solidarity from a leader of an organization about a player at the ECHL level, and gives us hope that other players who may eventually come out could find support from their respective franchises.