Connor McDavid Condemns the Staal Brothers

"I feel very strongly that hockey needs to be inclusive — and include everybody," McDavid said.

"Hockey really is for everyone,» Hyman said. «I've got a bunch of gay friends. My best friend's brother is gay. It's just normal. It's important to celebrate it and celebrate the entire community. Taping a stick is the least we can do.

But it can show you support the entire community. More importantly, you just want to do everything you can to make everybody who doesn't feel included in society feel included. This community has not always felt included in aspects of sport and life. For us as hockey players, it's important to show that it doesn't matter what your gender is, what your ethnicity is, what your race is or what your sexual orientation is. You're welcome in the hockey world.

A good gesture like that can show that we care."