The NHL prohibits the use of rainbow-colored tape.
Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson criticizes that.
– It’s bad, he tells TSN.
Anderson, who has become one of the best defensemen in the NHL, says supporting the Pride movement is close to his heart.
It is believed that it is a strange decision by the league to prevent players from using a colored stripe on their clubs.
-It’s a sensitive topic for many people. I don’t understand why but it is. Not only is it a rainbow colored ribbon, it’s also “Hockey Fights Cancer” which is an important cause. It’s bad but we have to find other ways. It’s something so natural to me that I don’t understand it. But rules are rules, he says.
“You will find a way”
Anderson was asked what other ways he could show his support.
– Good question. I don’t know, it’s something we have to look at. We will find some way. It’s close to my heart and it’s something I want to do.
Anderson’s Calgary compatriot, team captain Mikael Backlund, also talks about it and offers other approaches.
-The Calgary Flames organization has always been on the pride train. I did it in Sweden and many men have done it in different parts of the world. “It’s a simple way for us to show our support,” he told The Athletic.
T-shirts are prohibited
Appearances such as “Pride Night” to draw attention to the rights of people from the LGBTQ community have been a permanent feature of the NHL in recent seasons. Likewise, “Hockey Fights Cancer” when players warm up in purple T-shirts, as well as “Military Appreciation Night” when players wear colorful camouflage T-shirts.
Last summer, it was announced that the NHL would stop using such jerseys during warmups.
– In this way, the focus ends on the athletic aspect, said Commissioner Gary Bettman.
This all came to light last season when seven players refused to wear Pride jerseys for various reasons.