Photo credit: Sage Cole

STICKING UP FOR PRIDE TAPE | The NHL has changed its position more than once on the use of Pride Tape by its players. Some hockey players, like North’s own John Cueter, want to see more opportunities to express support for social issues on the ice. “I do feel like players should have the autonomy to express themselves [on the ice],” Cueter said.

In June, following the 22/23 season, the National Hockey League made an executive decision to ban themed warm-up jerseys during special nights, including all military, Hockey Fights Cancer and the rainbow team logo jerseys for Pride. During these nights, players were always given the option to wear or not to wear the jerseys. Some players, like Red Wings goalie James Reimer, refused to wear a Pride warm up jersey— Reimer cited his religion for the reason why he did not participate.

 In October of this year, the NHL issued another statement that clarified players would not be able to use Pride Tape on their sticks, either. The decision was met with immediate opposition, with even some of the biggest names in the NHL, like Edmonton Oilers Captain Connor McDavid, speaking about their disappointment with the decision. Some see the decision as a direct attack on players’ freedom of speech, including North’s own assistant hockey coach, Brent Maynard. 

“When I heard it was first announced, I kind of wondered why the league felt it necessary to restrict free expression from players,” Maynard said. “I don’t know of many other points of expression by players and I also find it a little disconcerting, considering they are putting advertisements for companies onto players’ helmets now.”

After their second statement, following criticism from players and fans and consulting with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, the NHL lifted the ban, stating that players will now have the option of supporting social causes by use of their stick tape moving forward. Some attribute the reversal of the ban to players who spoke out, and the few that defied the rule and used the tape anyway, specifically, Arizona Coyotes defensemen, Travis Dermott. Maynard agrees that what Dermott did was the right decision.

“I think it’s important when people take the opportunity to make statements like that, in a way that is completely reasonable,” Maynard said. 

Many fans and players are relieved that the decision was overruled. One such player is freshman John Cueter, right wing on North’s boys’ hockey team. He believes that the ban was overstepping, and that players should be allowed to have a choice on the matter.

“I think that lifting the ban was good, to let players use what tape they want,” Cueter said. “If they don’t want to use it or don’t like it, then they don’t have to buy it,”
If the NHL would have upheld the ban on Pride Tape, some fear it could have caused a trickle-down effect, affecting minor league players in the AHL, CHL and even those playing for North.

“I think it could have reinforced archaic cultural norms of hockey, as a whole,” Maynard said. “I think it’s important to allow kids to freely express themselves, and as long as it’s not outside of the bounds of the uniform and stuff, I don’t see any reason why it should be restricted. I think them doing that at the top, and allowing free expression should hopefully carry down to younger players too.”