On a night celebrating the LGBTQ2S+ community, the majority of the Florida Panthers made the decision to wear the Pride-themed jerseys designed by a local artist.
The Panthers were the first NHL club to host a Pride night back in 2013 and the vast majority of the roster embraced it. Matthew Tkachuk, who is in his first season with the team, was excited to be a part of the event this year given what it means for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
“For myself personally, obviously being out there and wearing the jerseys, and kind of enjoying and embracing a night like tonight — we only have so many of these nights throughout the season, whether it’s ‘Military Night’ or ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Night,’ or whatever,” the Tkachuk told reporters after the game.
“A night like tonight, for me, is really about including everybody. In my opinion, it’s by far the greatest game in the world, and everyone’s invited in my locker room and our locker room as an organization.”
Eric and Marc Staal decided not to participate in warmups citing “Christian beliefs” as the reason for their decision.
Head coach Paul Maurice believes the focus should remain on the work done by the organization and the players who willingly participated in the event.
“My thought is the story is not about them,” Maurice said.
“The story is about the rest of the group being excited, the organization and the fans being excited to celebrate a great night. These are grown men who have lived in their faith their whole lives. This is not new to them. They have the right to take that stand. The rest of the players wore that sweater proudly and I hope we conveyed that message of ‘Welcome to our building, welcome to our franchise and welcome to the great game of hockey.’”
Prior to the game, Maurice had said the team would continue with the tradition of wearing Pride jerseys after other NHL teams decided not to go through with it, but did not say if all his players would take part.
Along with the special warmup jerseys, which were designed by local artist Teepop and will be auctioned off to benefit You Can Play, the Panthers also had Pride-themed merchandise for sale at the arena and online.
According to the team, the Florida Panthers Foundation will “match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised by these jerseys and will donate that match back to LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the South Florida community.”