NHL teams and players are divided over whether to participate in Pride Nights, in which players show support for the LGBTQIA+ community by wearing special jerseys.
The San Jose Sharks held a Pride Night last Saturday, but goaltender James Reimer declined to wear the Pride jersey during warmups, citing his religious beliefs. The New York Rangers previously announced plans to host a Pride Night on Jan. 27, but the team did not wear the Pride jerseys on that night, though other Pride-themed events still took place, according to CBS Sports.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that many Russian players have opted out of participating in these events, noting that "this issue has arisen for teams with prominent Russian players since that country's anti-gay laws were amended in early December."
Those laws, according to The New York Times, make it "illegal to spread 'propaganda' about 'nontraditional sexual relations' in all media, including social, advertising, and movies."
The Minnesota Wild canceled plans to have players wear Pride jerseys due to concerns for their Russian players after one, Kirill Kaprizov, encountered difficulties in trying to travel back to the U.S. from Russia during the most recent offseason.
However, some Russian players, such as Pittsburg Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and players for the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, have worn Pride jerseys along with their teammates even after the legislation was signed in their home country.
Nashville Predators player Luke Prokop, the first openly gay man to have an NHL contract, tweeted that the NHL has taken "a step back for inclusion" after multiple players refused to participate in Pride Nights, which he said "are an essential step towards fostering greater acceptance and understanding in hockey."