The NHL has a frustrating habit of stepping on rakes it could have easily avoided if it had a bit more common sense and empathy. Hockey may be one of the most fun sports in the world, but as its fans will tell you, the NHL is the absolute worst.
Coming into the 2023-24 season, the NHL had banned Pride Tape and other various sorts of “cause messaging” displayed on player uniforms and gear. Alongside Pride events, this would have banned players from showcasing support for Hockey Fights Cancer or military appreciation nights, among others. The impetus for this change? Ivan Provorov’s decision to abstain from wearing a Philadelphia Flyers Pride Night jersey in warmups earlier in the year, causing the NHL to ban theme nights altogether.
And now, thanks to the actions of Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott, the NHL’s Pride Tape ban lasted a measly two weeks, as the league has officially reversed course on the mandate. On Tuesday, the NHL posted a statement stating that players will “have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape” once more.
NHL statement on symbolic tape in support of social causes. pic.twitter.com/BJN0hAde2W
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 24, 2023
Dermott made waves Saturday evening after wearing Pride Tape on the ice during the Coyotes game against the Anaheim Ducks in clear defiance of the NHL’s ban. While stars like Connor McDavid were outspoken against the NHL’s decision to ban Pride Tape, it was a 26-year-old middle-pairing defenseman who became the loudest voice on the issue by actually standing up and resisting the mandate.
The Coyotes defenseman also spoke to The Athletic about his decision before the ban was lifted and doubled down on his feelings in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
“But, yeah, I’m still here. The fight’s not over,” Dermott said. “We’re going to continue to talk about this. And if the league doesn’t want it to be on league time then we’ll find other ways.
“You can see it as the league’s taking away our voice. We can’t speak. We don’t have any of this expression anymore. I feel like that’s a valid way to think, and it’s easy to kind of see it that way. A lot of people do, and I’m sure will continue to.”
We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season. @nhl @NHLPA pic.twitter.com/XjmQUZkMbD
— Pride Tape (@PrideTape) October 24, 2023
It was only a matter of time before the NHL reversed its ban on Pride Tape. Too many voices were speaking out against a spineless decision that shouldn’t have even been made in the first place. The NHL bent to the will of a vocal minority of players and fans at the cost of alienating its biggest supporters and possibly turning away any potential new ones.
Thanks to Dermott’s actions, NHL players can once again openly support causes close to their heart and LGBTQ+ fans know they have a staunch ally in the sport willing to fight for them. Dermott saved the NHL from itself this time, but goodness knows it won’t be the last.
NHL fans thanked Travis Dermott for breaking the NHL's Pride Tape ban
Pride Tape is back because Travis Dermott, a completely expendable defenceman on a one-year deal just above the league minimum, had the balls to stand up for his convictions at what could have been at a cost to his career. https://t.co/vOZlwwU6WO pic.twitter.com/Wz2FkJTqa3
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) October 24, 2023
I’m sure a lot of folks were involved in this but you gotta give a lot of credit to Travis Dermott https://t.co/V1wCy4mAMH
— robert 🏳️🌈 (@rs_molloy) October 24, 2023
Good on you, Travis Dermott. Might not seem like the boldest stance, but a fringe guy on a two-way contract put his career on the line to show support for a corner of the fan base the league was actively (and nonsensically) marginalizing.
The NHL, always and forever: pic.twitter.com/1Exvk1tFjK
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 24, 2023
Travis Dermott, a player coming off a long term injury and on a two-way contract for a small market team, called the league's bluff and made this happen. He's a true ally through and through. https://t.co/E7NfnEDjsy
— a ! (@rantannanen) October 24, 2023
All it took was Travis Dermott being that dude and the NHL completely backed down.
NEVER forget how the NHL was threatening to punish players for pride tape. What an embarrassing saga for hockey. https://t.co/6mxtxMIKUt
— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) October 24, 2023
travis dermott made this happen, btw.
the league thought none of the players would try sticking it to them & they were scrambling after it happened.
(don’t forget the last few weeks though. they still banned it. now they gotta walk around with egg on their face) https://t.co/qmXIYdKjzM
— ryan 🛸 (@OTCellyy) October 24, 2023
Travis Dermott saw a stupid rule, defied it risking punishment, and forced the NHL to rescind that rule. https://t.co/qWsHvORTkc
— Five For Howling (@Five4Howling) October 24, 2023
TRAVIS DERMOTT is the reason this happened. Always remember this.
It wasn't the biggest names, it wasn't an owner. It was a league minimum defenseman who backed up his words with actions.
THIS is still just the start of making this an inclusive league, but still. Travis Dermott https://t.co/yt034ANh81
— Matt Bosty 🐀 (@MattBosty) October 24, 2023
Travis Dermott should serve as a reminder to all of us why being a vocal ally is important. It works. Even if it’s as simple as making people feel a little safer.
Be like Travis Dermott.
— Brandon Maki (@BrandonMaki_) October 24, 2023
