NHL Reverses Stance On Pride Tape Ban After Travis Dermott Defies Ban Order

Summary

• NHL has reversed its stance on banning Pride Tape
• The decision came after Travis Dermott defied the ban and used Pride Tape
• You Can Play and Pride Tape welcomed the ban reversal by the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) caused quite a stir within the LGBTQ+ community when it sent a memo to teams in early October letting them know that it would not allow players to use Pride Tape on their sticks and did not want them representing social causes during games.

That decision caused quite a backlash within the LGBTQ+ community with You Can Play and Pride Tape taking to social media to criticize the decision and lash out at the NHL for not being inclusive. You Can Play supports inclusivity in sports for the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Tape manufactures rainbow coloured tape.

Dermott Takes Stance, NHL Reverses Decision 

There were a number of NHL players who were not happy with the decision and some of them like Connor McDavid, captain for the Edmonton Oilers expressed their disappointment. However, Travis Dermott from the Arizona Coyotes took things further as he decided to take a stance and defy the NHL ban by using Pride Tape on his stick on 21 Oct against the 

Dermott explained his stance by saying

You don’t want to fully back off and zip your mouth up when something like this happens, but you’ve got to find the right game plan to attack it with. Where you’re supporting your organization and not making them look bad, and you don’t want to step on the league’s toes and really start a fight with them, but still tell them that I think this stuff’s important.

The NHL has yet to confirm if it will discipline or fine Dermott but it does not appear likely as the NHL has now reversed its decision.

In a tweet on X, the NHL said

NHL statement on symbolic tape in support of social causes. pic.twitter.com/BJN0hAde2W

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 24, 2023

LGBTQ+ Community Happy With Ban Reversal

You Can Play and Pride Tape were some of the parties that were very happy with the ban reversal. 

In a statement, You Can Play said

Actively welcoming communities into hockey is imperative to keep the sport strong now and into the future. We appreciate every person, team and organization that made their voice heard to support this change, and appreciate the NHL’s willingness to listen and make the right choice.