NHL reverses anti-Pride Tape rule after Travis Dermott defies it

Travis Dermott might’ve played in two of hockey’s biggest spotlights during his time with the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs, but he’s never had a larger following than right now.

Earlier this week, the Arizona Coyotes defenceman made headlines when he used rainbow-coloured Pride Tape on the shaft of his stick during his team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.

While in years past that would’ve been a footnote to any story — Dermott himself had sported Pride Tape many times throughout his career — the NHL had reportedly sent out a memo earlier this season that included a note about banning the popular tape that was created as a “badge of support from teammates, coaches, parents and pros to young LGBTQ+ players,” as per the company’s website.

Additionally, the league had banned various warmup-specific jerseys after seven players league-wide opted not to wear the Pride-themed uniforms last season. The Canucks in particular had drawn plenty of positive attention for their various jerseys, although it seems like that won’t be coming into play this season.

The obvious question that came to many fans and media around the league — would the NHL actually have the guts to fine or otherwise penalize a player for supporting the Pride Tape cause?

And it seems as though the question has been answered, as the league has seemingly decided to reverse course on the ban, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

“There is word the NHL, NHLPA and NHL Player Inclusion Coalition have agreed that players will have the option to represent social causes with stick tape throughout the season,” Friedman posted on X Tuesday. “This includes games and practices.”

There is word the NHL, NHLPA and NHL Player Inclusion Coalition have agreed that players will have the option to represent social causes with stick tape throughout the season. This includes games and practices

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 24, 2023

“We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all,” Pride Tape posted on X after the new broke. “We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season.”

We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season. @nhl @NHLPA pic.twitter.com/XjmQUZkMbD

— Pride Tape (@PrideTape) October 24, 2023

Dermott had told The Athletic’s Chris Johnston on Monday that he wasn’t planning on using the tape again in the immediate future, but perhaps his stance has changed given the latest developments.

“The war’s not over. Definitely not, by any means,” Dermott said. “You don’t want to fully back off and zip your mouth up when something like this happens, but you’ve got to find the right game plan to attack it with… where you’re supporting your organization and not making them look bad, and you don’t want to step on the league’s toes and really start a fight with them, but still tell them that I think this stuff’s important.”

Dermott is in his first season with the Coyotes, after spending two seasons with the Canucks and five with the Maple Leafs.

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