Canadian teams from around the sports world are offering their support for their leagues’ decisions to postpone games.
In statements shared across their social media channels, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays, and the Montreal Canadiens have backed the postponement of games in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake shooting.
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“Professional sports are at their core only a game, and during this challenging time are a welcome escape for many, however at their best, they also provide a chance for people to come together and celebrate the achievement of athletes of all backgrounds,” the Montreal Canadiens said. “We couldn’t be prouder of the NHL’s players, and of those across all leagues who are making a similar stand.”
Nous sommes avec les joueurs.
We stand with the NHL’s players. pic.twitter.com/ylSHkgd6R4
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 28, 2020
The Maple Leafs said the organization is “committed to being a force for positive action in the fight to end racism.”
https://t.co/2iAXhU4QV6 pic.twitter.com/6XHUHyH9m0
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 28, 2020
The Vancouver Canucks said taking a stance and action is “bigger than hockey.” In a combined statement, Calgary sports teams say it “applauds athletes from all sports” who are amplifying the message, and the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators backed the movement, to “promote equality and social justice.”
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 27, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/z4Ec26290H
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) August 28, 2020
The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club and True North Sports + Entertainment support and applaud the move by the players, the NHL, and the NHLPA to postpone Stanley Cup playoff games in order to shine a spotlight on the racial injustices that continue to occur. pic.twitter.com/kzwKgdUNse
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) August 28, 2020
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) August 28, 2020
After postponing their Thursday night game, the Blue Jays (in a joint statement with the Boston Red Sox), said they fully support players’ decisions to join together to bring further awareness to systemic racism.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 27, 2020
The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks set off a chain reaction on Wednesday, after they walked off the court minutes before the start of their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The Raptors said they “stand with their brothers,” after reposting a Bucks’ statement.
We stand with our brothers. https://t.co/NnAQJWCmu1
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 26, 2020
On Thursday, the NHL announced all of its remaining weekday games would be suspended in protest.
The four games that were scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday will be rescheduled starting Saturday, and the league said that the remainder of the second round of playoffs will be adjusted accordingly.
The boycotts spread to other leagues, notably the WNBA, which halted play. Three Major League Baseball games also weren’t played due to player-led boycotts. Five Major League Soccer matches were postponed, as was a WTA tennis tournament.
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