Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott became the first player to use Pride tape in a game since the NHL banned it in the offseason. The seven-year veteran had the rainbow tape on his stick during Saturday’s game against the Ducks, despite the fact that the NHL could punish him for doing so.
Dermott said he didn’t speak with anyone in the organization about his decision, choosing to use the tape on his own. On Tuesday, he explained why he chose to continue using Pride tape in spite of the league’s new rules.
“None of the players really saw me put it on my stick,” Dermott said, via The Athletic’s Chris Johnston. “It was kind of just an: ‘All right, I’m doing this, and we’re going to deal with the consequences and move forward, and hopefully I’ll have a positive impact on some people that needed that positive impact.’”
