NHL’s New Pride Tape Ban Under Fire: Travis Dermott Ignites Change
While a number of players have expressed their opposition to the NHL’s new pride tape ban, Travis Dermott is the first to openly defy it.
Arizona Coyotes’ defenseman, Travis Dermott, is the first to take a stand against the National Hockey League’s new pride tape ban.
During the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks this past Saturday, Dermott was seen with a small strip of the banned tape at the top of his hockey stick. Dermott’s act of defiance was the first to be seen following a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ policies implemented by the league.
Travis Dermott became the first player to use Pride Tape on his stick in a game since the NHL banned special warmup jerseys and other on-ice gear around theme nights.
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 23, 2023
Link to full story: https://t.co/Ue1zRkV5dB pic.twitter.com/LDBpHgUxFA
When implementing the ban, the league failed to mention player repercussions, should they go against the policies. Following Saturday night’s game, the league announced that they “will review it in due course.”
After outrage from only seven players in the 2022-2023 season, the league decided they wouldn’t wear Pride-themed jerseys and banned all forms of special initiative warm-up jerseys. This ban got rid of Pride Night as well as Military Appreciation Night and Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
for the all the people saying it wasn't a big deal, "it's just jerseys"
— novechkin (@notafan_jo) October 9, 2023
the nhl banned pride and other special initiative warm up jerseys, as well pride tape… they're literally taking steps backwards pic.twitter.com/z3yNNJaJTJ
With guidelines furthering throughout the month, players have now completely lost their freedom in voicing support towards the LGBTQ+ community. While the use of pride tape in the past was voluntary and not implemented by teams, the league still banned it from games, practices, and warmups.
Following the league’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, several of the NHL’s top players shared their opposition. The league’s top player for several years, Connor McDavid, shared that he hopes the decision is eventually overturned.
In a statement following the ban, the Edmonton Oilers captain stated “In terms of a league standpoint, is it something that I’d like to see put back into place one day? Certainly. You know, but that’s not the way it is right now.”
With several of the league’s top players expressing their opposition, the pressure is on to see what decision the league will make next.
Minnesota Wild’s defenseman, Jon Merrill, was very clear with his opposition to the new policies. “If anyone does it, what is the league going to do? Take me off the ice? Give me a penalty? Then you look bad as a league. I don’t know. It’s upsetting. Just disappointing.”
Dermott’s defiance of the ban and use of pride tape is still under review by the league. With so much opposition to the league’s new policies, Dermott is sure to be the first of many to go against the ban.
