The league may not like it, but the Toronto Maple Leafs say they still have plans to support Pride and Pride night despite a recent ruling by the NHL.
Banning Pride
After a handful of players decided not to wear Pride-themed jerseys during warmups last season for religious and/or personal reasons, the NHL decided to scrap the entire thing. It also recently sent a memo to NHL teams clarifying that included Pride tape, the multi-coloured stuff used on sticks to celebrate the initiative. Leafs GM Brad Treliving has made it clear he doesn't agree with that.
"This organization, myself personally, we've always been supporters of the LGBTQ community. Nothing's going to change with that. We'll figure out ways that we make sure we do the right things and support, as we always have, and stay true to what we believe in. There's always challenges in the world but that doesn't affect how we support (causes)." - Brad Treliving.
Blueliner Morgan Rielly agrees with Treliving and says he'll find some way to publicly support Pride.
"I'm going to continue to support people and causes that I think are important and are worthy of the support regardless of whatever rules get put in place about tape or attire or jerseys or whatever. I want to continue to do what I think is right." - Morgan Rielly
This is, obviously a sensitive issue for the NHL. But the decision to outright ban any causes during warmups does seem like an overreaction.