Whenever it seems like the NHL has taken a step forward, the league then manages to take a couple steps back.
The latest surrounds the NHL’s decision to stop wearing specialty warmup jerseys after a meeting with the Board of Governors. It’s a change that was undoubtedly influenced by the controversy Pride nights stirred up around the league this year, when individual players and teams opted out of wearing Pride-themed warmup jerseys.
The solution, according to the NHL, isn’t to stress the need for inclusivity or what the jerseys represent. It’s to run away from the problem and avoid bad press, instead of using it as a moment to progress.
Teams around the NHL have created and worn specialty jerseys for a number of tribute nights — from Hockey Fights Cancer, Military Appreciation night and St. Patrick’s Day, to Black History Month, Women’s History Month, the Lunar New Year, Hispanic Heritage, and of course, Pride night.
According to a league source who spoke to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, commissioner Gary Bettman told governors all theme nights were important and should be continued, but the uniform has become a distraction, taking away from all of the positive efforts and could continue to be so for any of a variety of different tribute nights.
Those…
