In a message publicly announcing his B次元官网网址渢rue selfB次元官网网址� on July 19, Luke Prokop became the first player under a National Hockey League contract to come out as gay.

B次元官网网址淚 believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams,B次元官网网址� he wrote in a statement on Twitter. The announcement was celebrated by players and teams across the hockey world, government leaders and others.

It also came about a month after Prokop spoke with Oak Bay native and NHL player agent, Bayne Pettinger. Prokop saw the support Pettinger got B次元官网网址� from players like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and more B次元官网网址� when he came out last November. He told the agent that made his decision easier.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 fantastic for the game and just breaks down another barrier of inclusivity,B次元官网网址� Pettinger told Black Press Media.

Pettinger explained to Prokop, a 19-year-old Nashville Predators prospect from Edmonton, that after he shares his truth heB次元官网网址檇 likely face a media storm, that people would want to paint him as a poster boy and he may even feel some emotions or trauma he didnB次元官网网址檛 realize were there.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited to see what Luke does now that heB次元官网网址檚 shed this, now that he can walk into the rink and not have to worry about who knows and who doesnB次元官网网址檛, like I did for years.B次元官网网址�

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ItB次元官网网址檚 one step closer to stories like ProkopB次元官网网址檚 not being news anymore, Pettinger said. For now though, he said some people will try to tear Prokop down, they might ask why this matters and he may face not being accepted in certain corners of the hockey community.

B次元官网网址淪ports and hockey, especially, are still behind,B次元官网网址� Pettinger said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 because hockey has a ways to go in terms of acceptance and diversity. This helps.B次元官网网址�

It took tremendous courage to do what Prokop did, he added. As a prospect, no pro spot is guaranteed for the Calgary Hitmen defenceman.

B次元官网网址淎t the end of the day, Luke still wants to be a professional hockey player and who your partner is shouldnB次元官网网址檛 have an effect on that,B次元官网网址� Pettinger said. B次元官网网址淚 hope one day itB次元官网网址檚 not Luke Prokop, the gay hockey player, itB次元官网网址檚 Luke Prokop, the great hockey player.B次元官网网址�

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B次元官网网址� luke prokop (@lukeprokop_6)

Prokop told Pettinger heB次元官网网址檇 like to join the agent and help do education campaigns for youth. That shows tremendous maturity for a 19-year-old, Pettinger said. Not only has he decided to carry the weight of being the first openly gay active player, heB次元官网网址檚 already thinking beyond himself by wanting to help others struggling through the same situation he was in.

The agent doesnB次元官网网址檛 know what the eventual impact of the Monday-morning Twitter post will be, but for anyone who thought they couldnB次元官网网址檛 be gay and play pro hockey, a barrier has been broken.

B次元官网网址淚t is going to be a talking point for maybe his entire career, but someone has to do it first,B次元官网网址� Pettinger said. B次元官网网址淭here could be a minor hockey player in Victoria whoB次元官网网址檚 gay and said, B次元官网网址榃ell I canB次元官网网址檛 play pro sports, thereB次元官网网址檚 not a professional hockey player whoB次元官网网址檚 gay,B次元官网网址� well now there is.B次元官网网址�

But for Prokop, Pettinger said B次元官网网址渋t was just 19 years of building up to speak his truth and thatB次元官网网址檚 really all it is. ItB次元官网网址檚 him being honest with himself and those around him and thereB次元官网网址檚 something so pure about that.B次元官网网址�

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