Brian Burke said the NHL’s decision to ban on-ice demonstrations in support of social causes, including the use of multi-colored ribbon to mark Pride Night, “is surprising and a serious step backwards.”
The league sent a memo to its teams last week to outline what players can and cannot do on special occasions this season.
The clarified directive emphasizes that the uniform that players will wear on the ice, as well as their equipment during the warm-up period or official training sessions, cannot be modified to highlight their support for a specific cause.
Burke, the executive director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players’ Association (AJLPHF), indicated on social media that he is “very disappointed” with the league’s decision.
The 68-year-old stressed that this directive will prevent players and teams from sending a strong message of support for various causes close to their hearts in order to protect a handful of players “who do not want to answer questions at the subject of their choices.
The NHL found itself in the hot seat last season after some players refused to don special jerseys to mark Pride Night, and it decided in June to ban teams from wearing special uniforms during warm-up periods.
The Bettman circuit said the players who refused to participate in Pride night were an affront to the work the teams are doing in their respective communities.
Burke is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community in hockey. In 2012, he helped establish the You Can Play Project in memory of his son Brendan, who died in a road accident in 2010. This initiative aims to eradicate homophobia in sports.
With the Associated Press