The New Jersey Devils held the team’s third annual Pride Night on Monday, and at least one player literally carried his support for the LGBTQ community throughout the entire game.
NHL players often warm up during their team’s Pride Nights with rainbow-colored Pride Tape wrapped around the blade of their stick. Yet during the game, they trade in the rainbow tape for more traditional solid colors.
On Monday, Devils forward Kurtis Gabriel kept Pride Tape on his stick for the whole game. Instead of having the rainbow acknowledgement on the blade of the stick, he had it higher up on the butt end. Book-ended with white tape, it actually made his nod to the LGBTQ community easier to see.
NHL rules allow for tape of any color to be used on a player’s stick during a game.
Gabriel did one better, scoring the game-winning goal in the second period.
The Devils, who are in last place in the Eastern Conference, pulled off the upset against the playoff-bound Montreal Canadiens, 2-1.
Last season Florida Panthers player Jonathan Huberdeau kept Pride Tape on the blade of his stick throughout his team’s Pride Night.
It’s great to see guys like Gabriel and Huberdeau make a bigger, conscious statement with their subtle choices. If you see other players use Pride Tape during their games, let us know here or drop us a tweet.
Thanks David for the story tip!
