Quebecer Anthony Duclair, a black hockey player who is playing for the San Jose Sharks this season, wished the National League (NHL) had taken a different direction on the thorny issue of equipment worn by players on theme nights.
The Bettman circuit has come under fire for eliminating the Pride and Inclusion jerseys in June and the rainbow ribbon in recent days. Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has already invalidated the NHL’s choice because it wanted to avoid the controversy of last season, in which hockey players opted out of wearing the items in question. And while Toronto Maple Leafs guard Morgan Rielly said he wished skaters had the right to be more committed to the LGBTQ+ cause, Duclair questioned himself.
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“I know a lot of people support this. So far I haven’t had a problem with it. It’s sad that the league isn’t moving forward. For me it is a bit strange and incomprehensible,” he told the website sanjosehockeynow.com.
“In my opinion, we also ban Black History Month. “To be honest, I think we are going backwards,” he also reflected, knowing that NHL clubs can still organize themed evenings, but without equipment in representative colors, as was the case in the past.
On the back of the pack
According to the 28-year-old forward, the NHL lags behind other professional leagues in North America when it comes to inclusion. It will be difficult to attract more supporters by excluding some of them. Initiatives to support communities still have their place, said the Pointe-Claire native.
“This is why the NBA, NFL and other sports organizations continue to grow year after year by attracting new fans and benefiting from new audiences,” added the man who founded a foundation to promote access to hockey for minorities .