Connor McDavid disagrees with an NHL policy – again.
Four months after saying he was “disappointed” by the hockey league’s decision to stop themed jerseys during warm-ups, including for pride, the Oilers superstar said Tuesday he wasn’t either no longer agree with a recent memo banning pride bands.
“From a league perspective, is that something I would like to see put back in place one day? Certainly. You know, but it’s not like that right now,” he told the journalists at Rogers Place.
The NHL decided in June to no longer allow teams to wear themed jerseys during warmups after a handful of players refused to participate in Pride Nights.
The league said the players’ removal and resulting controversies had become a “distraction.”
Last week, the NHL sent a memo to teams clarifying the policy, including banning the use of rainbow-colored tape.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the memo to The Associated Press on Tuesday, hours before the season began.
“I’ve commented on this before. I think everyone knows how I feel,” said McDavid, a three-time NHL MVP.
“I’ve enjoyed all the nights we’ve celebrated here in Edmonton, whether it’s Pride Night, Military Night, or Indigenous Night, all the different nights we’ve had and had the chance to celebrate . I have always appreciated them. “I can’t speak for anyone else or the league.”
McDavid’s teammate Zach Hyman also used the word disappointing when asked about the Pride tape ban, but suggested he wouldn’t stop supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community.
“We can support them individually, but collectively it’s out of the players’ control. Disappointing, but out of our control,” Hyman told reporters.
“It’s not up to us. I know personally that I enjoyed wearing the Pride jersey, the Pride ribbon, the military jersey, we had Willie O’Ree night, Native night, all those beautiful things we support.”
Hyman’s thoughts were similar to those of Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who told reporters in Toronto that he wished players were allowed to do more and be more involved.
“I’m going to continue to be involved in the community and offer support to communities and groups that want it (and) need it,” Rielly said.
The Pride Tape co-founder, an associate professor at MacEwan University in Edmonton, called the NHL rule “immoral and illegal.”
“There is nothing in the NHL rule book that prevents a player from using Pride Tape. You can’t fine a player for a rule that doesn’t exist. Banning Pride Tape also impacts a player’s free speech, which is a protected right,” Dr. Kristopher Wells wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
You Can Play (YCP), an organization that works with leagues like the NHL to promote safety and inclusion for all, also strongly criticized the league’s memo.
“It is now clear that the NHL is moving backwards from its long-standing commitment to inclusion and continues to dismantle its cutting-edge work on 2SLGBTQ+ belonging,” a YCP statement said.
“We are now at a point where all the progress made and relationships established with our community are at risk.”
With files from The Associated Press
