On Wednesday, the NHL began its month long campaign for Hockey is For Everyone.
Teams from around the league will host awareness nights which will honor players of all ages and backgrounds. It’ll also feature sled hockey players, blind players, special needs players and recent immigrants.
February is #HockeyIsForEveryone month. Help us spread respect for all who play and love this game.
Join us: https://t.co/tpwcKN0RO0pic.twitter.com/M39MDoWiZm
— NHL (@NHL) February 1, 2017
In addition to Hockey Is For Everyone, the league will also be teaming up with the You Can Play project – a non-profit organization – which will support the LGBTQ community while also fighting homophobia in sports.
According to NHL.com, select clubs will designate one home as a You Can Play night, which will celebrate members of the LGBTQ community in pregame festivities, with players using “pride tape” during warmups.
Each team will designate an ambassador, and the Wild’s ambassador is Charlie Coyle. The Wild have yet to announce which game the event will fall on.
The Montreal Canadiens ambassador is Andrew Shaw. Last season Shaw was suspended because of a homophobic slur he used during a game. With Shaw being an ambassador, hopefully he’s come full circle now.
According to OutSports.com, there’s never been a current or former NHL player who has come out publicly.
