‘Players are free to decide which initiatives to support’: NHL weighs in on Ivan Provorov Pride Night controversy
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov created a storm of controversy Tuesday when, before the team’s Pride Night home game against the Anaheim Ducks, he refused to don a rainbow Pride sweater during the team warmup on the grounds that it violated the beliefs of his Russian Orthodox religion. The Flyers later allowed him to join the lineup for the game, during which he played more than 22 minutes.
Reacting to his decision, the Flyers issued a statement to Daily Faceoff Tuesday night. It read: “The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”
Provorov, touching briefly on the subject after the game, said, “I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella, who during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey claimed he’d bench any of his Team USA players who took a political stand and knelt during the national anthems, expressed support for Provorov after the game.”He’s being true to himself and his religion,” Tortorella told reporters. “This has to do with his beliefs and his religion. It’s one thing I respect about [Provorov]: he’s always true to himself.”
The NHL, which has worked in the past half decade to up its inclusivity efforts with programs such as Hockey is For Everyone, weighed in on the issue Wednesday morning in a statement sent to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
“Hockey is for Everyone is the umbrella initiative under which the League encourages Clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets, and to work to achieve more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the statement read. “Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how – with League counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”
Prior to the Pride Night game, Flyers players wore special Pride-themed warmup jerseys and used warm-up sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape. The jerseys and sticks were auctioned off to Flyers charities following the game with proceeds going toward “growing the game of hockey in diverse communities,” a team press release read.