surveying my teams 

so far, penguins, canucks, and lightning published statements of support for luke

waiting for leafs and knights to come out with theirs

with a glock

EDIT: they did it

glock is still out, waiting for these orgs to clean up their sponsorships

Adding devils, flyers and flames.

luke prokop comes out as the first ever gay NHL player 🏳️‍🌈

‘This is who I am’: Predators prospect Luke Prokop comes out by Pierre LeBrun, 19 July 2021

Luke Prokop was driving his car, so he couldn’t totally freak out.

But man, what he was feeling at the moment.

The 2020 third-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators was on a call with the NHL club’s key front office people including GM David Poile.

Their message to Prokop? They were all proud of him. They had his back. He didn’t have to worry about anything.

“When I think about the feeling of being free, that was the closest I think I’ve been to it so far,” Prokop, 19, said.

“I turned up the music as loud as I could. I was wearing sunglasses, I started to cry, tears of joy, I didn’t want anyone to see me crying while I was driving. But I was blasting the tunes and slamming on my steering wheel. It was amazing.’’

No doubt Prokop had wondered for nearly a year how that call with the Predators would go ever since they drafted him 73rd last fall.

“I can’t thank them enough for supporting me,’’ Prokop said.

He had just taken his next important step in a process that began in March 2020.

Telling people in his own world that he’s gay.

Now, with this interview in The Athletic, he is ready to tell the entire world.

“Very brave young man,’’ Poile said. “It took a lot of courage. I’m proud that he did that. It’s got to be exciting for him to be taking this step. This is a big story and hopefully it helps and encourages others in similar situations. It’s a big deal.’’

There has never been an openly gay active player in the NHL. Amazingly, this 6-foot-5, 221-pound defenceman is coming out before his first pro camp.

And yes, part of the reason Prokop is coming out is to help others. But first and foremost, it was to lift a 100-pound anvil off his back.

Just being able to tell people around him over the past year has been freeing.

“It’s been very special, talking to my friends, my family, my coaches, my agents,’’ Prokop said. “And them being very supportive, me coming out and being OK with who I was. I think it’s been translating a lot into my summer and my summer training. I’ve noticed myself being a lot more confident on the ice.

“Being able to truly be who I am. This is the best I’ve ever felt in the summer and I think a large part of that is due to this process of me coming out.’’

Why now?

Prokop doesn’t want to wonder anymore.

“I don’t want to have to walk into the gym or to the arena or just to practice, and keep thinking, ‘Who knows? Who doesn’t?’ This is who I am,” Prokop said.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a big topic of conversation, that’s not what I want it to be. It’s just, ‘Hey, here’s who I am.’ It gets it off my chest. So I don’t have to worry and wonder about other people.”

Keep reading

I agree with all of this

excuse me this is so soft?

dobby for three years!!

Dobby content which is just people talking how wonderful he is? The Athletic is here for you!

VGK vs DAL | Round 3, Game 3 | 9/10/20

Tyler tossing pucks to imaginary children in the stands

When Asked Why They Decided to Kneel

TYLER SEGUIN: I was giving it a lot of thought - kinda in the last 24 hours - about what to do and I talked to Reaves in warmups and you know he said he’d seen what I was doing in Dallas and him and Lehner were gonna kneel and if we - if I’d like to join him? and I said absolutely so I joined him and before the game I went in the dressing room and just told everyone what I was doing and obviously told everyone there was absolutely no pressure to do anything and Dickinson grabbed me and said he’d like to be a part of it and support his beliefs and my beliefs and support me as a teammate and you know it was great to have him there as well. 

JASON DICKINSON: Yeah I mean -  I’ve got some people of color in my family. My dad comes from the Islands and one of my uncles is Black so it was easy for me - easy decision - I’ve been thinking about it since everything started and if I would do that.  And you know what I think I was probably nervous to think about doing it on my own and when Seggy said it, it was kinda a no-brainer for me, that I wouldn’t be alone doing it - to support the cause and support my teammate, it was a no-brainer. 

About Matt Dumba and how none of his teammates did anything (visible) to support

TYLER SEGUIN: Yeah there was some influence with that. I mean nothing against his teammates, I mean everyone’s got their own choices, you know I don’t think that means that anyone doesn’t support him. But definitely being two white guys (*Dickinson nods*) to do what we did - I wanted to be a part of that movement for this opportunity - I can’t say honestly that I was gonna go out there on my own and take a knee but with them having a Black player on their team and his beliefs and I’ve said from Day 1 that I’m gonna back it up in ways that I can and that’s why I chose to support that and why I’m very proud of Dicky for standing up and doing what he believes as well.

“Just to Be Clear, What Was the Cause You Guys were Supporting [When Kneeling]?”

JASON DICKINSON: (aggressively obvious facial expression) I mean Black Lives Matter, Equality, Justice - you pick the term, it doesn’t really matter.  I think I don’t need to sit here and you know take a stab at all the issues, I mean just educate yourself, look into things, watch documentaries, TALK to people, really just learn, try to open your mind a little bit.  This is a big issue that needs to be addressed.

TYLER SEGUIN: Yeah Dicky said it perfect there - it’s a big issue that needs to be addressed and something clearly we both believe in. I think tonight was a statement from us - you know with what our actions were  - you know I don’t know if we’re going to do that every night [Segs & Dickinson make shruggy eye contact].  If there are other guys and teams or other Black players that are doing something, we’ll always give our support and you know that was our statement tonight so I guess we’ll see what happens in the next few games.

The season will be paused

NHL All Star 2020

best of Canes at Leafs Zamboni-driving EBUG Gate hockey twitter. bonus:

hello i made a meme about alexander ovechkin’s 700th goal being completely overshadowed by elite goalie and hurricanes legend david ayres

who would win, a 42 year old zamboni driver or the “best goal scorer of the decade” or whatever they call him

DAL @ CAR  2/25/20 ↳ Seguin goal on a Benn assist!