The New York Rangers did not wear Pride Night jerseys or use rainbow tape during Friday night’s warm-up, although they advertised it in ticketing materials in the run-up to the game.
Rangers promoted Pride Night to fans by saying that players will “show their support by donning pre-match jerseys and tape with Pride motifs in solidarity with those who continue to advocate for inclusivity.” Instead, the team wore during the warm-up his Liberty Head jerseys.
In previous seasons, Rangers players had Pride-themed jerseys and bats that were auctioned off for charity after the game.
Rangers’ Pride Night came 10 days after Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to take the pregame skate with his teammates because wearing the Flyers’ LGBTQ+ Pride Night pre-match jersey conflicted with his Russian- orthodox beliefs. Coach John Tortorella said he respected the decision and said Provorov was “true to himself and to his religion”.
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Following the game, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Rangers released a statement: “Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to bring important local community organizations to the attention as part of another great Pride Night With the core values of our organization, we support the individual right of each individual to express their beliefs with respect.”
The Rangers’ 7th Annual Pride Night was celebrated in other ways during the game. Fans received a Pride-themed fanny pack as a giveaway. The outdoor and indoor lights at Madison Square Garden were illuminated in rainbow colors. The Rangers also made a charitable donation to the Ali Forney Center on Pride Night, the largest agency dedicated to helping homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the country.
Andre Thomas, Co-Chairman of NYC Pride and Heritage of Pride, attended the ceremonial puck drop. When contacted for comment, NYC Pride said they were unaware that Rangers had decided not to wear Pride Night jerseys and not use rainbow tape like they had in the past, calling this “a.” huge disappointment for the LGBTQ+ community in New York and beyond.”
NYC Pride said, “In recent years, numerous National Hockey League (NHL) franchises, including the New York Rangers, have instituted a series of ‘Pride Nights’ to engage the LGBTQ+ community.
“NYC Pride was honored to be a part of these celebrations, including just last night at Madison Square Garden. NYC Pride was not advised prior to our attendance at the puck drop ceremony last night that Pride jerseys and rainbow ribbon would not be included Worn as advertised We understand and appreciate this is a huge disappointment to the LGBTQ+ community in New York and beyond was.
“We are communicating these concerns with the NY Rangers and NHL leadership as we continue to discuss how these organizations can work towards inclusion. NYC Pride has a duty to support our partners and hold them accountable. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with the NY Rangers and the NHL and maintaining a substantive dialogue with them about meaningful collaborations with the LGBTQ+ community.”
After Provorov skipped the warm-up in Philadelphia, the NHL issued a statement allowing players to choose which team and league initiatives to support.
“Hockey is for All is the umbrella initiative under which the league encourages clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets and work to create more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the league said in its Statement to ESPN. “Clubs decide who to celebrate, when and how – with advice and support from the league. Players are free to choose which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”