Efforts, such as programs in place for racial minorities have seen great success. Some, in order to grow the sport to the LGBTQIA population, have also seen success.
Unfortunately, there is still rampant homophobia in a sport that has forever been associated with a certain archetype of a player.
One team at the forefront of the pride movement in hockey is the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings, affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Their newest tradition is to paint their ice with the colours of the pride flag every season.
On the painted ice, the Wings faces the affiliate of the St-Louis Blues, the Peoria Riverman.
After the game, Peoria forward Louie Rowe decided to tweet these disgusting comments:
The use of pride terms in a derogatory sense is already wrong, and actively rooting against efforts to grow the game of hockey is truly a deplorable act by this player.
It is safe to say that Louie Rowe has likely seen the last of his hockey career in North America
We hope he will learn his lesson and become a better more tolerant person, and that the game we all love can continue to become inclusive to all.
POLL | ||
15 JANVIER | 37 ANSWERS Player in the St-Louis Blues System Released After Disgusting Homophobic Comments Was the team right to release this player? | ||
Yes | 22 | 59.5 % |
No | 15 | 40.5 % |
List of polls |