NHL reverses new Pride tape ban after player defies order

After ruling that professional hockey players wouldn't be allowed to show their support for certain social causes, among them the use of rainbow-coloured hockey tape — to signify support for the LGBTQ2+ community — the NHL has now had a change of heart.

“After consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the NHL said in a statement.

The NHL decided in June not to allow players to wear any theme jerseys for warmups after a handful of players opted out of Pride nights last season. The league said that it was a distraction from the work teams were doing in the community.

Over the weekend, Arizona Coyotes defenceman Travis Dermott was the first to defy the order on Pride Tape, playing a game with rainbow-coloured hockey tape on his stick.

The Pride Tape team, supported by You Can Play, applauded the NHL’s reversal. Sarah Ryan reports.

READ MORE: https://globalnews.ca/news/10045849/nhl-rescinds-ban-pride-tape/

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews