Leafs' Morgan Rielly among NHLers speaking out against decision to ban Pride Tape

The NHL's decision to ban Pride Tape isn't sitting well with a number of people across the league.

Arun Srinivasan
·Contributing Writer
Tue, October 10, 2023

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly and general manager Brad Treliving reiterated their support for LGBTQ+ communities Tuesday after the NHL banned the use of Pride Tape for the 2023-24 season.

Pride Tape was used by players as a small act of solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities but the NHL has taken a step backward in its support for queer and trans people throughout the 2023 calendar year. ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark reported that the league recently sent out a memo clarifying which special initiatives teams could participate in, including Military Appreciation Night.

Earlier this summer, commissioner Gary Bettman called themed practice jerseys “a distraction” from the goal of the league’s special interest nights.

"We'll make sure we continue to find our ways to do the right things to support,” Treliving told reporters Tuesday.

“I wish players had the right to do more and be more involved,” Rielly said Tuesday via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. “I'm going to continue to be involved in the community and offer support to those communities and those groups that want that, need that.”

Morgan Rielly has been a vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/NHLI via Getty Images)

Rielly has been a vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ communities throughout his career in Toronto and has taken part in the city’s annual Pride festivities several times. Toronto hosted a Pride Night on April 4 last season and Rielly was excited to participate.

“I think it's a great opportunity for our organization to make everybody feel welcome,” Rielly told Yahoo Sports at the time. “You want Scotiabank Arena to be a place where people feel included, be involved, be a part of what we're doing and it's a great opportunity for us to express that tonight.”

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson said he wanted to continue to support LGBTQ+ communities and offered his disappointment with the NHL’s decision.

"It sucks. It’s something that’s close to my heart and something I would love to support, but it is what it is,” Andersson said via TSN’s Salim Nadim Valji.

“It is a sensitive subject for some people. I don't understand why," Andersson said. "...It's not just Pride Tape, it's Hockey Fights Cancer, that's a big one. We've just got to find different ways to support it. It's something so natural to me, so I don't understand it.”

Pride Tape and its partner, You Can Play, released official statements Tuesday outlining their disappointment with the NHL’s decision:



"The league has used language in recent days which would prohibit the tape from any proximity to NHL hockey. We hope the league — and teams — will again show commitment to this important symbol of combating homophobia."


This story will be updated as more developments emerge.