So you’re saying the military shouldn’t have a “day”?

And of course it doesn’t give people equal rights. It creates an awareness for people who don’t seem to believe certain people deserve equal rights. Do you believe certain people shouldn’t have the same rights as you?
- paulr

Why do you say "certain" people? That in itself is discriminating them. See, if you make everyone equal, then you do not need "special days". Don't you see that?

And Military is different. Those days honor men and women for service to their country. Much different celebration.

Great post Zach, and you're right, wearing a pride jersey is not going to end homophobia, but what it will do is help that gay, probably closeted kid who loves hockey feel just a little better about him or herself and the sport they love when they see one of their heroes on the ice make a statement that says, "I acknowledge and accept you". Young people with high self esteem are much better for our society than those without.

Tell that to Russian players that live in Russia and have families there..Easy to say we are in the US who cares about Russian laws when you don't have to go to Russia

Zach, God bless you young man! .... As a young man you have a long way to go to live enough experiences to better understand your fellow man, for better and for worse. The following 300-400 comments in this thread will speak to that.

Let me say this, look back into history and you'll never see a minority go so far so fast as the gay community has. No, it ain't enough but great strides have been made and it's up to the next generation (yours) to carry on and move the cause forward.

Well said Zach 👍

Agreed and I'll take it one step further; we shouldn't care about Russian laws in the US they have no bearing and vice versa.
- rpeters01

I’m not American but yes & I see it as the Hawks being deflective on this aka not transparent & not honest.

The individual can opt out for their own reasons & should not be questioned.

Many players can make spectacular moves on a breakaway. Although Kane has departed and the roster thinned out, we could see some artistry among the rank and file even among a greater percentage of foot soldiers than elite talented forwards on the current Blackhawks roster

But it is specially nice when a top player accomplishes a nifty feat and it has special meaning

Yeah Arizona has a large enough point advantage and they still gained one point in their OT loss tonight. If you were likely in bed when their west coast game ended, take a gander at McDavid’s 60th goal - the GWG. Draisalti actually set him up twice within oh maybe fifteen seconds apart on partial breakaways.

Pretty much the same move both times. On the first attempt the shot hit the goaltenders best friend - off the iron pipe. McDavid buried the second shot. Kind of cool the video shows McDavid circle back to blue line cursing then Draisalti feeds him the perfect pass.

Perhaps the Coyote players were amazed he didn’t score on the first attempt. But he was all alone as he broke in AGAIN!

Perhaps we are really lucky and draft Bedard. He will be a highlight money player in the NHL

Well say your bedtime prayers for Bedard to wind up in Chicago

Well done Zach. E.L.E.

Commercial break.

Somebody hit somebody!!!!!

How is treating everyone respectfully and ensuring everyone has equal rights dividing people?
- paulr

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think there are any rights that are denied anyone in the US right now. I think most/all of the theme nights are at best poorly executed and at worst patronizing and useless. Before the game: “hey they are wearing a rainbow sweater.” During the game: “hey, now they are wearing the regular one.”

If the league wants to support these causes that is their right, but to try and make every player in the league support it is not a good idea. These guys come from all different backgrounds and not everyone is going to agree with everything. To try and make someone celebrate or promote something that they are fundamentally opposed to will only make them resent it more. You aren’t going to change anyone’s mind by force, and you will NEVER be able to get rid of bumholes.

I never like when people use the word respect in these instances. I believe that respect is earned. Tolerance is better I think. While there are still instances where players use inappropriate words, I don’t believe that the overwhelming majority of those comments come from deep seeded racism or bigotry. Most of them are just words they’ve used or heard their entire lives that are basically reflexes for certain situations (see Andrew Shaw). It’s not acceptable to use those words, but I don’t think it’s due to any deep hatred. I’m not aware of any instances where a player’s background or personal preferences were used to exclude him from a team.

Ultimately, a players merit/ability is all that matters. Very few people care about skin color or personal life as long as performance remains high. Plenty of jackasses who were good have been allowed to play in the league and plenty of truly nice and genuine people have been completely shut out.

Very good point, I accept and respect all people no matter color or choices. You are correct and I guess there are a lot of people out there that are racist or whatever. My statement was incorrect but it is my view from my perspective.
- joegreif17

We do understand that homosexuality is not a choice right…

We do understand that homosexuality is not a choice right…
- fattybeef

I believe this fact is lost on him...ultimately...as several smart people re saying..this jersey thing is about inclusion...not endorsement of anything..the eye on the prize is inclusion...seems people have allowed their homophobia to cloud their judgement....sad.....

I believe this fact is lost on him...ultimately...as several smart people re saying..this jersey thing is about inclusion...not endorsement of anything..the eye on the prize is inclusion...seems people have allowed their homophobia to cloud their judgement....sad.....
- Hockey Pucker

But is it really? I like to think of it as symbolic inclusion. The league is doing what they think everyone wants them to do, but deep down they have no real interest in it.

It is closer to mockery than honesty.

We do understand that homosexuality is not a choice right…
- fattybeef

I have friends (couples) that each had a gay child and there was never a doubt. The girl had a deeper voice than me at 10 years old, never a boyfriend, was always brooding, rarely smiled growing up. I love kids and am always a clown with them but I could never get more than an occasional giggle out of her. The boy had an effeminate voice and mannerisms, no girlfriends, and preferred to bury himself in school books rather than socialize much. And I don't give a poop, I love them both. I don't understand the gay thing, but I don't understand rocket science either and we all know that's a thing. No doubt in my mind there was never a choice, just the way it is.
When the girl finally came out her catholic lady mom was crushed. I told her that straight people don't have it all figured out cuz if they did there wouldn't be a 50% divorce rate. One of the most fun weddings I ever attended was the girl's same sex wedding. She was completely out of her shell, laughing her ass off, happy as could be. So lump me in with Angotti, live and let live.

When Provorov did not participate in the Flyers' pride night it was a huge national story with countless opinions, yet to my surprise nobody seemed to even consider that it might have been out of concern for himself or his family. I of course have no idea if that was his reasoning, but the reasoning he gave sounded a lot like what someone would say if it was.

If the Hawks continued on with their Pride Night their Russian players would have to choose between putting themselves and their families back home at risk or facing heavy judgement and scrutiny here (the Hawks of course would as well).

I agree with everything you've said here, but with all due respect you aren't really addressing the issue if you don't address the reasoning behind the decision. Did the Hawks make the right decision? No, because life isn't black and white and in this situation there is no right decision. I do think they made the best one given the circumstances.
- dra4477

And the same night that Provorov did not participate, Alec Ovechkin did not participate in the the Caps activity which was limited to rainbow tape on their sticks in warm-ups. Why no uproar about him?

https://www.washingtontim...itting-out-pride-night-a/

Well said Zach 👍



I’m not American but yes & I see it as the Hawks being deflective on this aka not transparent & not honest.

The individual can opt out for their own reasons & should not be questioned.
- Nighthawk

Sadly, anyone opting out is vilified and labeled a bigot. If the Hawks decide to not do this because 3 of their players have family in Russia who may face repercussions, this almost becomes a no-win situation. Either the organization gets flamed for not doing the night (but what is ignored is they are doing the rest of the festivities, just not the jersey warm ups), or they do the night and their 3 players have to a) worry about their family's safety in Russia, or b) face persecution in the US for not wearing the jersey.

As an American I fully support freedom of speech. I spent 22 years in the military defending that right for ALL people, but I disagree with the new mindset that we cannot disagree with each other. We can have differing viewpoints and our beliefs should not be forced on others. When I was growing up I was told that we don't talk about politics or religion. I believe that we don't know how to have a civilized conversation about these subjects. No one wants to see things from someone else's point of view.


Just my $0.02

The off-season needs to start so we can just talk hockey

I believe this fact is lost on him...ultimately...as several smart people re saying..this jersey thing is about inclusion...not endorsement of anything..the eye on the prize is inclusion...seems people have allowed their homophobia to cloud their judgement....sad.....
- Hockey Pucker

Who is being excluded? There are no rules in place to exclude anyone in sports. If you are good enough to play, you play.

I don’t feel that anyone should be affirmed, or catered to for any reason. If Ovi was gay, no one would care, because he’s a monster on the ice. Every new player that steps on the ice needs to find a way to fit in with their team. I’m my view, anything beyond that is a personal issue.

Since politics has been raised...

I propose that some owner have the team warm up in MAGA jerseys; then we can see how many people have consistent positions on the subject.

T stands for men in women's sports. Anyone who wants to wear a pride jersey or have a LGBTQ night needs to specifically answer why they want men in women's sports.

XX ≠ XY

Sadly, anyone opting out is vilified and labeled a bigot. If the Hawks decide to not do this because 3 of their players have family in Russia who may face repercussions, this almost becomes a no-win situation. Either the organization gets flamed for not doing the night (but what is ignored is they are doing the rest of the festivities, just not the jersey warm ups), or they do the night and their 3 players have to a) worry about their family's safety in Russia, or b) face persecution in the US for not wearing the jersey.

As an American I fully support freedom of speech. I spent 22 years in the military defending that right for ALL people, but I disagree with the new mindset that we cannot disagree with each other. We can have differing viewpoints and our beliefs should not be forced on others. When I was growing up I was told that we don't talk about politics or religion. I believe that we don't know how to have a civilized conversation about these subjects. No one wants to see things from someone else's point of view.


Just my $0.02

The off-season needs to start so we can just talk hockey
- ikeane

Well said. im getting sick of having all this crap rammed down my throat. Everyone has the freedom to be themselves, if i don't agree with there choices i shouldn't be made to feel bad that i don't. I hope some day we can live in a world that everyone just gets along no matter the colour of their skin or what they like to do in the bedroom.

Well said. im getting sick of having all this crap rammed down my throat. Everyone has the freedom to be themselves, if i don't agree with there choices i shouldn't be made to feel bad that i don't. I hope some day we can live in a world that everyone just gets along no matter the colour of their skin or what they like to do in the bedroom.
- SaskHawkFan

Not a choice.

Which is why these nights exist. There is a fair amount of ignorance and assumptions that people choose to have a sexual orientation which couldn't be further from the truth.

Clearly these nights are necessary and the conversations surrounding them need to take place because there is a rather large and kind of alarming misunderstanding as far as sexual orientation (and gender for that matter) goes.

Sadly, anyone opting out is vilified and labeled a bigot. If the Hawks decide to not do this because 3 of their players have family in Russia who may face repercussions, this almost becomes a no-win situation. Either the organization gets flamed for not doing the night (but what is ignored is they are doing the rest of the festivities, just not the jersey warm ups), or they do the night and their 3 players have to a) worry about their family's safety in Russia, or b) face persecution in the US for not wearing the jersey.

As an American I fully support freedom of speech. I spent 22 years in the military defending that right for ALL people, but I disagree with the new mindset that we cannot disagree with each other. We can have differing viewpoints and our beliefs should not be forced on others. When I was growing up I was told that we don't talk about politics or religion. I believe that we don't know how to have a civilized conversation about these subjects. No one wants to see things from someone else's point of view.


Just my $0.02

The off-season needs to start so we can just talk hockey
i

ikeane

First, Thank you for your service.

Second I could not agree more with what you post. Certainly about the bolded. I know myself at times I have violated that rule here. Difference is growing up, you did not have cable news and bloggers inciting divisions vying for eyeballs/clicks. Opinions were kept to the editorial page.

i also understand with the Beach incident that the knee-jerk reaction is to blame the Hawks management. But according to this TSN article excerpt they did not make this decision in a vacuum:

The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the move.

I think the omission that the Hawks consulted outside the organization is big. Unfortunately that is what happens now, you get sound bites and clips that only serve the purpose/ideology of the presenter.

That being said, as someone growing up playing hockey, and was invited and tried out for a team, and was knowingly excluded by the team because the parents (not my teammates) did not like my religion, I think nobody should be excluded because of race, creed or color. Unfortunately all Humans are flawed, some to a greater degree than others.

Agreed and I'll take it one step further; we shouldn't care about Russian laws in the US they have no bearing and vice versa.
- rpeters01

That is, until the Russians have to go home and that maniac in power does something to them or their families.....

Not a choice.

Which is why these nights exist. There is a fair amount of ignorance and assumptions that people choose to have a sexual orientation which couldn't be further from the truth.

Clearly these nights are necessary and the conversations surrounding them need to take place because there is a rather large and kind of alarming misunderstanding as far as sexual orientation (and gender for that matter) goes.
- fattybeef

Good then. Answer me why you think men should participate in and dominate women's sports? Why shouldn't i label you a misogynist?

Good then. Answer me why you think men should participate in and dominate women's sports? Why shouldn't i label you a misogynist?
- lacaprup

Never said anything related to who should participate in what sports.

I'm sure you were very vocal about the Women's World Cup being sponsored by Visit Saudi with your obvious passion for women's competitive events.

The only thing I've said is that being gay isn't a choice. Being transgender is not a choice either, for that matter. Clearly there needs to be further discussion and education related to these topics since there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding/ignorance about them.

And pride nights and things like that help to facilitate those discussions which are important to move forward with empathy and understanding.

Disgusting nhl teams are promoting groomers and pedophiles.

Since politics has been raised...

I propose that some owner have the team warm up in MAGA jerseys; then we can see how many people have consistent positions on the subject.
- mohel

As in FB now here on hockeybuzz I give your comment a like thumbs up. But won’t talk politics even if there is a link in any way to respect and human rights regarding the issue addressed in Zach’s blog