Via The Daily Beast: National Hockey League player Ivan Provorov opted to forego part of the Philadelphia Flyers’ annual Pride Night on Tuesday, skipping warmups over a disagreement on rainbow attire, as well as rainbow-colored sticks and pucks to be auctioned at the end of the night. Provorov claimed a religious exemption, citing being Russian Orthodox. He went on to help his team notch a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks, wearing his usual uniform rather than a jersey with a rainbow number on the sleeve. “I respect everybody. I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov told reporters.
This is the same Russian Orthodox Church that supports Invading a sovereign country killing innocent children and destroying countless lives.
The Philidelphia Flyer’s should have taken a stand and benched or fined him. #ThatIsAll
“Getzlaf’s comment in Thursday’s game, particularly as directed to another individual on the ice, was inappropriately demeaning and disrespectful and crossed the line into behavior that we deem unacceptable,” NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said in a release on the league’s official site.
The fine is the maximum punishment allowed under the latest collective bargaining agreement.
During last year’s playoffs, Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was suspended one game, received a $5,000 fine and had to undergo sensitivity training for his anti-gay slur.
Getzlaf, on the other hand, is expected to play Game 5 on Saturday at the Honda Center with the Predators and Ducks tied 2-2 in the series.
Two (very humpy) National Hockey League stars Henrik Zetterberg (above left) of the Detroit Red Wings and Victor Hedman (above right) of the Tampa Bay Lightning have gone on record blasting Russia’s anti-gay law and its impact on the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, Detroit Free Press reports:
Zetterberg, the Detroit Red Wings captain who will likely represent Sweden in the Olympics, reportedly told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet that the law is ‘awful, just awful’
“I think that everyone should be able to be themselves,” Zetterberg said. “It’s unbelievable that it can be this way in this time, especially in a big country like Russia.”
Fellow Swedish player Victor Hedman, who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning, also had strong things to say about the law: “That’s completely wrong, we’re all humans. No one should have a say in what way you’re sexually oriented.”
Thank you guys for being real men and speaking up!
This is just one more reason why hockey players are HOT.
Michael Thomas “Mike” Modano, Jr. is a retired NHL hockey player, who played primarily for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL who played for the North Stars when the team was in Minnesota. Modano played his final NHL season with his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings.
The National Hockey League (NHL) recently took a huge step to ensure fair treatment to any potential LGBT players in the future as well as current ones that may not be out by pledging to take initiative to end discrimination. The sports organization has paired up with You Can Play Project, a campaign dedicated to promoting awareness and education such as counseling and public speeches. Here’s more:
“Our motto is Hockey Is for Everyone, and our partnership with You Can Play certifies that position in a clear and unequivocal way,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the statement obtained by the Times. “We are delighted to reaffirm through this joint venture with the NHL Players’ Association that the official policy of the NHL is one of inclusion on the ice, in our locker rooms and in the stands.”
Patrick Burke, president of You Can Play and a Philadelphia Flyers talent scout, expressed how this move represents a huge milestone. In a statement to The Huffington Post, Burke said:
Today marks a historic step for LGBT equality in sports. The NHL and the NHLPA [NHL Players’ Association] are stepping up to ensure that the hockey community is welcoming — not begrudging, not tolerant — welcoming to LGBT players, coaches, management or fans. Now with the culture of the hockey community behind us, we can do the important educational outreach to help everyone know how to be accepting. The NHL has long had a slogan — “Hockey Is For Everyone.” We will work alongside our partners in the NHL and the NHLPA to continue to make that true.
This is a great effort by the NHL to ensure that LGBT players feel welcomed and won’t have to put up with discrimination. It is a great step towards fairness and equality that is inclusive and welcoming, something that has been lacking in major league sports. To say a move like this by a major sports organization is a very big deal is an understatement, yet this is a great moment.
But will this lead to the other major sport organizations to follow suit? We know of the the efforts made by NFL players like Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo but have yet to see the football organization as a collective stand up for LGBT players. This is something they should consider especially with the rumors surrounding the NFL possibly having four players to come out at the same time this year. They always say that they need someone to go first and this move by the NHL may encourage other sports affiliations to do the same.
Patrick Burke of the Philadelphia Flyers and Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leafs are joined by James Van Riemsdyk (PHI), Mark Fayne (NJD), Frans Nielsen (NYI), Tyler Bozak (TOR), George Parros (ANA), Brandon Prust (NYR), David Steckel (TOR), Andy Greene (NJD), RJ Umberger (CBJ) and Brian Boyle (NYR) to tell LGBT athletes: “If you can play, You Can Play”
“Since there are conflicting accounts of what transpired on the ice, we have been unable to substantiate with the necessary degree of certainty what was said and by whom,” said NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell, who handled the case. “Specifically, Flyers player Wayne Simmonds has expressly denied using the homophobic slur he is alleged to have said. Additionally, none of the on-ice officials close to the altercation in question heard any inappropriate slurs uttered by either of the primary antagonists. In light of this, we are unable at this time to take any disciplinary action with respect to last night’s events.”
For those of you who don’t know hockey Colin Campbell, is well known for being inconsistent (to the point of having charges of favoritism leveled at him from several quarters).
Now I guess we should include homophobic as something we should let everyone known Campbell is well known for.
So says a source from ZackTaylor.ca (.ca!) who saw Paul Bissonnette, the 25-year-old NHL player with the Phoenix Coyotes at the Wet Republic pool spot in Vegas.
“Paul is such a great guy. He was all over my friends and I, but kept telling us he’s gay and not to worry… He was a drunk mess!”
Just the booze talking?! Telling girls that you’re gay so they let you grope ’em?! Or could Paul officially be the first “openly active gay” NHL hockey player?!
Zack Taylor.ca then recieved this message from Paul:
“I am 100 percent straight. I don’t know what girls told you that. They are just trying to start a story because they are probably bitter over us kicking them out of our booth at XS Nightclub. As for the photo with that guy back in 2007 – He’s the ex-boyfriend of a girl I dated from Vancouver. We thought it would be funny to take a photo together. I’m not an insecure guy. I’m 100 percent straight… I enjoy banging broads haha!”
Klassy huh?
Well no great loss. He’s got a great ass and legs but that face is why they make leather masks with zippers.
Brendan Burke, the youngest son of Toronto Maple Leafs president Brian Burke, and who’s coming out story received international attention, died today from injuries suffered in a car accident. He was only 21 years old.
The Maple Leafs released the following statement: “On behalf of the entire Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Brian Burke. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burke family during this extremely difficult time.”
