The Canadian chose the Washington Capitals’ visit to the Bell Center Thursday night to underscore the organization’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. But on the eve of this event, which was to remain unifying, there were still many doubts.
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In a press conference after the nearly hour-long training session, Martin St-Louis kept the secret of his players’ intentions to wear the multicolored shirt, which represents Pride.
When asked if the team’s 20 players would jump onto the ice to warm up with the uniform on their backs, St-Louis declined to give a direct answer.
“I will answer questions tomorrow when I have all the information,” said the head coach. I prepare myself to answer difficult questions. But the Montreal Canadiens take this day very seriously. It’s going to be a nice day. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“All causes are important,” he continued. I love everyone, I accept everyone regardless of religion, race or sexual orientation. I’m a guy who welcomes everyone. It’s the same in sport, it’s like that.
Several controversies
When St-Louis alludes to possible difficult issues, he may be preparing a gesture of distancing.
In Philadelphia, Ivan Provorov opened the ball in January by refusing to participate in the warm-up to avoid assisting the rainbow sweater.
John Tortorella had defended his player by saying he made the choice out of personal and religious beliefs. Since that incident with the Flyers, other players have decided to give up that Pride night.
Ilya Lyubushkin (Sabres), Andrei Kuzmenko (Canucks), Ilya Samsonov (Maple Leafs), James Reimer (Sharks) and brothers Eric and Marc Staal (Panthers) followed Provorov’s path.
Reimer and the Staal brothers relied on their faith and scriptures to forgo the event. On the part of the players from Russia, there were religious reasons, but also fears for their safety due to a Russian law prohibiting any propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations.
The wave of protests also hit entire teams. The New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues made Xs on nights scheduled on the calendar.
A question of solidarity
In the CH dressing room, Jonathan Drouin, Samuel Montembeault, Chris Wideman and Cayden Primeau have all said they will don the colorful uniform. David Savard and Jordan Harris also wanted to take part, but are injured.
“There are people who have a hard time getting out of the closet and have a hard time living with it,” Primeau recalled. If we can show our support and help, it can become a simple gesture that helps someone. It’s just a sweater, but there’s a symbolism.
“We talked about it as a team,” added Drouin. I think everyone is open. Our team is not a team that doesn’t want to put the jersey on or move on. It’s important that we support this cause, that we support everyone. The Canadian is really open, we’re pretty much in agreement. We’ll do what we can to get everyone to come to the Bell Centre, gay or whatever, it doesn’t change anything in my life. We’re all in the same boat.”
A silence
When Drouin mentioned a desire to see the entire team in the same boat, the CH did not offer that certainty.
Denis Gurianov, the only Russian in the Habs, failed to meet the media on the eve of the game against the Capitals. He could join some of his countrymen in citing fears of reprisals on his return to his country.
However, the recent history of NHL teams tells us that it’s not just Russian players who have turned their backs on the LGBTQ+ community.