Oilers add trailblazing openly gay player to organization and he's from Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers have added an interesting player to the organization after four AHL signings earlier this week.
With the season around the corner, the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, announced a quartet of signings that included players Matt Brown, Trevor Janicke, Mats Lindgren, and Luke Prokop.
The most interesting name among that crop is Prokop, the 23-year-old Edmonton native who made headlines in recent years as being the first openly gay player under an NHL contract.
Prokop played minor hockey in the Alberta capital with the Edmonton Canadians before joining the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, and then later having stints with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Seattle Thunderbirds.
The 6-foot-5 defenceman was drafted by the Nashville Predators 73rd overall at the 2020 NHL Draft.
In 2021, he revealed in an Instagram post that he was gay. Prokop announced this during Pride festivities in Edmonton.
“I am no longer scared to hide who I am,” Prokop said in that post. “From a young age, I have dreamed of being an NHL player, and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams.
“This is just the beginning of my journey, and I am excited to see where it takes me, both in hockey and in life.”
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Prokop has struggled to find a steady role in the AHL since turning pro, having spent much of his time in the ECHL during his stint with the Predators organization. This past season, he scored one goal and four points in 31 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Considering his deal with the Oilers organization is an AHL contract, it’s doubtful he will see time in the NHL this upcoming season. Instead, he will have to prove that he belongs in the AHL with the Condors.
It might not be the most impactful signing from the Oilers organization this summer, but it certainly is an interesting one and will give fans a player to keep tabs on in the farm system.