Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott has shown his happiness after the NHL reversed its ban on Pride Tape, which he had used on the shaft of his stick in a previous game. The league’s change came after consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition. Players now have the option to represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.
Dermott had previously gone against the league’s policy because he believed it was important. Despite the ban from the NHL, Dermott decorated the top of his stick with Pride Tape, explaining that he wanted to make a positive impact on people who needed it.
He had decided not to continue this form of protest on the ice to avoid putting his team in a difficult position, but he planned to continue supporting causes he cares about and spread his message on social media.
Dermott, who has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community, is now celebrating the NHL’s decision to allow players more freedom to express themselves on the ice. He is proud of the league for taking a step in the right direction and hopes that going forward, the whole league will have a better plan to support causes without singling out players for their religious beliefs.
