That’s a new one. Nice try covering up for homophobic Russia players

The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBT rights in the country.

Via the AP: The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.

This comes mere months after the Philadelphia Flyers player earned national headlines for refusing to wear the teams Pride Night jersey because of his “religion”. 3 weeks later the New York Rangers did not wear Pride Night jerseys or use rainbow stick tape during warmups on Friday night’ PRIDE night game, despite promoting them in ticket sales materials leading up to the game. Which many hockey insiders attribute to a denial by Russian players to wear them.

Funny how the Chicago Blackhawks think that a racist caricature is fine also.

The NHL needs to start playing hardball with it’s Russian players. Play the game, wear what uniform we give you and make outrageous sums of money or go back to Russian and be unpaid, conscripted, cannon fodder.

Dasvidaniya comrades!