New Turk. The Philadelphia Flyers celebrated their pride night at their home game against the Anaheim Ducks last night – including performing in rainbow colors during their warm-up.
Then the Russian defender Ivan Provorov refused to participate.
– My choice is to remain true to myself and my religion, he says.
The NHL periodically arranges Pride Nights around its games – as a way to highlight the importance of inclusion and show its support for LGBTQ+ groups in every city.
In connection with tonight’s home game against the Anaheim Ducks at the Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia Flyers celebrated Pride Night.
But star full-back Ivan Provorov refused to take part in the warm-up – because then the team was presented with Pride T-shirts with rainbow numbers on their backs.
However, he played the same match.
– I respect everyone and respect everyone’s choice. My choice is to stay true to myself, says the 26-year-old Russian, who played for the Flyers for seven seasons and describes his religion as Russian Orthodox.
Hot-headed coach John Tortorella, who once threatened to bench those who don’t stand during the national anthem, backs up his player.
– I respect that he is always true to himself and has no plans of not letting him play the match, he says.
But the famous North American hockey fans ruled hard overnight by Provorov’s decision.
– Provorov does not respect “everyone” at all. If he respected everyone, he would be warming up in a Pride jersey. Don’t hide behind religion, for example, Canadian insider Pierre Lebrun wrote on Twitter.
The Flyers won the game 5-2 after a hat-trick by Kevin Hayes and rookie Swedish goalkeeper Samuel Ersson made 25 saves. John Kellenberg helped achieve one of the visitors’ solace goals.