The NHL has said its players can choose which of their teams’ causes they support.
The league statement was released the day after Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov opted out of his team’s party highlighting his support for the LGBTQ+ community and promoting inclusivity.
Provorov refused to wear the rainbow jersey during the Flyers-Anaheim Ducks game warm-up because of his religious beliefs – he is a member of the Russian Orthodox community. Flyers players have also applied rainbow tape to the blades of their sticks.
These sticks and jerseys will be auctioned off by the Flyers Foundation, with proceeds going to organizations that promote hockey in various communities.
An NHL spokesperson said the league always encourages players to “speak out on various social and cultural issues.”
Provorov, 26, played nearly 23 minutes in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Ducks.
“I respect everyone. I respect everyone’s choices. Mine is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I can say about it,” he said after the game.
Provorov declined to answer the following questions about his decision.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella said Provorov “stayed true to himself and his religious beliefs.”
“I respect Provy, because he is always true to himself,” added Tortorella.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, head of the main religious movement in Russia, sent a strong message last March to justify his country’s invasion of Ukraine – describing the conflict as part of a fight against the threat of a perverted, decadent, morally unethical West that organizes “gay parades” as a condition of admission into their ranks.
The NHL Players’ Association has yet to respond to requests from The Canadian Press for comment on the matter.