At least one Canucks player wonB次元官网网址檛 be wearing a themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver holds its annual Pride night on Friday.
Coach Rick Tocchet said that, after discussions with his family, Russian winger Andrei Kuzmenko has opted not to don the special uniform ahead of the home game against the Calgary Flames.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going to get into it because we donB次元官网网址檛 know the deals that happen over there. So I respect his decision,B次元官网网址� Tocchet said.
Kuzmenko, 27, has become a fan favourite in his first NHL season due to his wide smile and outgoing personality.
He has 37 goals and 31 assists in 73 games, and leads the Canucks in goals.
Some of his teammates have publicly committed to wearing the jerseys, designed by local artist Christin Hryc. The main crest features a rainbow and flowers across the CanucksB次元官网网址� orca logo, and rainbow patches on the shoulders.
B次元官网网址淚 think everyone in this room is looking forward to it,B次元官网网址� defenceman Quinn Hughes said Wednesday. B次元官网网址淎nd I know in our organization, everyoneB次元官网网址檚 welcome.
B次元官网网址淓very time weB次元官网网址檝e done Pride night, IB次元官网网址檝e worn the jersey and celebrated the night.B次元官网网址�
Star centre Elias Pettersson said Friday that he, too, is in support of the annual event.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important to show that everyone is welcome here,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd IB次元官网网址檒l wear the jersey tonight.B次元官网网址�
Vancouver has a number of other initiatives planned for Friday, including a pre-game drag show outside Rogers Arena and in-game performances. A $20,000 donation is also being made to QMUNITY, a Vancouver non-profit that supports LGBTQ people and their allies.
Kuzmenko joins a handful of NHL players whoB次元官网网址檝e declined to wear Pride jerseys this season, including Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, and Buffalo Sabres blue liner Ilya Lyubushkin.
Whether a player wears the themed jersey comes down to individual rights, new NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said in Toronto on Thursday.
B次元官网网址淭he LGBTQ community shouldnB次元官网网址檛 feel that the NHL hockey players are turning their back on that community. The majority of the players have worn the jersey,B次元官网网址� said Walsh, who has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights during his political career.
He added that the league will likely have more conversations about the issue moving forward.
B次元官网网址淏ut I think itB次元官网网址檚 really important that as a league and as locker rooms, weB次元官网网址檙e inclusive and that we support all peopleB次元官网网址檚 right to support the game,B次元官网网址� Walsh said.
B次元官网网址擥emma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
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