NHL reverses Pride Tape ban as it allows players to represent social causes on the ice

The National Hockey League (NHL) has made changes to its policy regarding the use of rainbow-colored stick tape in support of the LGBTQ+ community and inclusivity in the game.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the league stated that players are now permitted to use products like Pride Tape during practices, warm-ups, and games.

According to an NHL statement, “After consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.”

Previously, the NHL Board of Governors had prohibited players from displaying support for themed initiatives and social causes as part of a decision to eliminate thematic warm-up jerseys. In June, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed that the attention given to players who chose not to participate in specialty night warm-ups such as Pride Night had become a “distraction.”

During a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott was seen using a stick with rainbow tape on the handle. This prompted questions regarding potential punishment from the league.

While using the rainbow tape, Dermott expressed his passion for promoting inclusion within the hockey community.

Dermott told Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, “You don’t really want to go against the rules set by your employer, but you want everyone to feel included. This is something I’ve been passionate about throughout my career. We need supporters of this movement to make sure everyone feels included and to emphasize that hockey is for everyone.”

Dr. Kristopher Wells, co-founder of Pride Tape, expressed gratitude to Dermott in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Once an ally, always an ally. It doesn’t matter which team you’re on. It’s the power of the message. Thank you Travis!”

Following the NHL’s reversal on Tuesday, Pride Tape posted, “We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) stated, “After ongoing dialogue with players, the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition and the National Hockey League, we are pleased to see the league’s policy has been revised so that players are free to support causes they believe in with stick tape while on the ice.

“The NHLPA would also like to thank You Can Play for their consistent advocacy.”

Dermott and the Coyotes will be facing the Kings in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

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