Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid with rainbow Pride tape on his stick.

The NHL tried to dampen Pride celebrations this season, barring players from wearing rainbow jerseys, and for a short-lived period, even prohibiting them from wrapping their sticks in rainbow tape.

But the New Jersey Devils found a clever workaround Thursday night. The team permitted players to wear special Pride jerseys as they arrived to the arena, essentially sticking the middle finger to the league.

And they looked great doing it!

The Devils’ sixth annual Pride Night was a rocking success, complete with Taylor Swift-inspired friendship bracelets. A team representative told NJ.com they acknowledge the “work is not finished throughout the hockey community” but they want to be “leaders in the change.”

Thursday’s affair was an excellent starting point. At the end of the game, the team’s mascot took to the ice sporting a rainbow jersey of his own.

Better yet, the Devils weren’t the only team celebrating Pride last night at the Prudential Center. Some players on the opposing Edmonton Oilers, who won the game 6-3, wrapped their sticks in Pride tape as an act of solidarity.

Devils player Curtis Lazar wrapped his stick in rainbow tape as well.

While it was great to see the Oilers participate in the festivities, special credit goes to Connor McDavid, one of the biggest stars in the NHL. The four-time All-Star wrapped his stick in Pride tape during warmups.

His gesture sent quite the rainbow message!

It’s hard to overstate McDavid’s dominance. The 26-year-old captain has led the league in points five times, including in three of the last four seasons. With a resume like that, it’s fair to say McDavid might be the most visible LGBTQ+ ally in male pro sports.

When the NHL announced its misguided ban on Pride-themed jerseys, he spoke out against the decision.

“It’s disappointing to see,” he told reporters. “It’s not my call, but obviously it’s disappointing. I certainly can’t speak for every organization.”

But McDavid can speak for the Oilers, who are steadfast in their support of the LGBTQ+ community. They were the first NHL team to use rainbow tape on their sticks, and were also one of the first clubs to embrace Pride Nights. Back in 2014, then-captain Andrew Ference marched in Edmonton’s Pride parade wearing his Oilers jersey–a strong statement given the team’s stature in the city.

Each summer, the Oilers play in the Pride Cup, which coincides with Edmonton’s Pride celebrations.

“I know in Edmonton, we were one of the first teams to use the Pride tape. We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride nights,” said McDavid.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman banned players from wearing speciality jerseys this season, bowing to the small group of homophobes who refused to wear rainbow sweaters last year. The low point for the league came before days before the start of the 2023-34 season, when the NHL also issued a ban on Pride tape.

But mercifully, that edict was short-lived. Scores of players spoke out, and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott wrapped his stick in Pride tape, anyway, defying the league.

So far this season, multiple star players have displayed their support for LGBTQ+ folx. Earlier this month, Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand wrapped his stick in Pride tape, and was rewarded with a hat trick.

Under usual circumstances, these stands for inclusion would be a positive story for the league. Instead, they make the NHL look foolish.

Bettman attempted to quell Pride celebrations, but actually accomplished the inverse. He fueled a rainbow backlash.

Well done, commish!

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