Mar 16, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (15) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators
(New York, NY) — The Hawks face the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday for Pride Night at the United Center, but players won’t be wearing rainbow-colored Pride jerseys during warmups this weekend.
The team decided not to wear the jersey due to safety concerns. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in December that restricts activities seen as promoting LGBTQIA+ rights in the country. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.
The New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders also decided to not wear the Pride jerseys for the same reason.
The Florida Panthers — whose star goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, is Russian — plans to go forward wearing the jersey Thursday night before their home game against Toronto.
“As an organization, we’ve decided, and rightfully so, to move forward with it and support it and celebrate it,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “Teams around the league and players around the league, they’ve got the right to their opinion, and we’ve got the right to ours. But I’ve seen the sweaters. They’re great looking, and it should be a great night tonight.”
