You Can Play

Elite League defenseman Zach Sullivan comes out as bisexual ahead of Manchester Storm Pride game

Over the weekend, the U.K.’s Elite Ice Hockey League, in partnership with You Can Play, held its first official Pride weekend.

Support for the weekend was league-wide, with each individual team selecting a local LGBT+ charity to work with, and has seen heavy promotion across social channels and in national and local news in the lead-up to the games.

Initiatives for Pride weekend ranged from the usage of Pride tape, specially designed Pride jerseys, raffles to win the shirt off the back of a player, as well as auctions for the game-worn Pride jerseys, Pride merchandise for sale, and proceeds from the 50/50 raffle going to directly to LGBT+ organizations.

That prolific support from the Elite League and its teams proved to be more than just lip-service, when Manchester Storm defenseman Zach Sullivan chose to come out as bisexual on Sunday, making him the first player in the Elite League to do so.

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By Donya Abramo 4 years ago

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Gritty shows support to LGBTQ community with rainbow-colored belly button

Gritty is not just a Philadelphia sports mascot. To some, he’s a political icon. The Flyers’ fluffy orange monstrosity has “become a symbol of progressive politics and resistance to Trumpism” and his imagery has been adopted by protesters marching against white supremacy.

Earlier this month, Gritty added the role of advocate to his resume by expressing support for the LGBTQ community and inclusiveness in hockey. And he did it with his belly button.

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By Elizabeth Kong 5 years ago

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Braden Holtby to wear You Can Play-themed mask on February 24

On Monday morning the Capitals announced continuing activities to celebrate Hockey is for Everyone month. Earlier this month, the Caps kicked off the festivities by inviting UAE women’s hockey player Fatima Al Ali to DC for a week, where she skated with the team after practice, dropped the ceremonial face-off puck before the February 9 game against the Red Wings, and took the greatest selfie ever after said puck drop.

On Monday we learned February 24 will be Hockey is for Everyone Night at Verizon Center, and the Capitals will be hosting a series of initiatives to benefit You Can Play, an organization dedicated to equality in sports, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. During practice on February 23, select Capitals players will use Pride Tape on their sticks, and during the game on the 24th, goalie Braden Holtby will don a brand-new Hockey is for Everyone-themed mask. Both the sticks and the mask will be auctioned off, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to You Can Play. The team will also be hosting activities involving the American Special Hockey Association and the Chesapeake Wild women’s hockey team.

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By Rachel Cohen 7 years ago

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The NHL names Braden Holtby as the Capitals’ LGBTQ-inclusion ambassador

The NHL is celebrating Hockey Is For Everyone month during February. On Wednesday, the league announced that it was partnering with You Can Play to create more visibility and support for the LGBTQ community. The NHL also released a list that features a player from every team who is a You Can Play ambassador. According to the NHL, each athlete named will serve as a leader in the locker room and in the community on diversity, equality, and inclusion. The players have also agreed to lead the way in their markets to fight homophobia in sports. Some of them will even be featured in local public service announcements.

On Thursday, the NHL announced that Braden Holtby will be the Capitals’ LBGTQ representative.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Washington Capitals and Braden Holtby to Participate in DC Pride Parade

Tuesday morning the Capitals announced they will participate in the annual Capital Pride parade, which supports and celebrates the Washington, DC LGBTQA community. Vezina nominee Braden Holtby, along with Slapshot and the Red Rockers will march in the parade. Members from Monumental Sports and the Washington Wizards and Mystics will join the Caps as well.

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By Rachel Cohen 7 years ago

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Gary Bettman on Sexism in Hockey: “We are the Most Diverse of All the Sports”

Bettman talks to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis during an event on Friday. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Nearly 57 years ago, Willie O’Ree became the first black player in NHL. Today, society is different place — except when P.K. Subban plays in Boston.

“You don’t really notice it too much,” Capitals prospect Madison Bowey, who is black, said when I asked whether race was still an issue in hockey. “Everyone treats you the same. It’s not a big deal anymore; it’s a new generation.”

While race has come up as an issue for more broadly in America recently, it is becoming increasingly irrelevant in sports. Today, the Capitals and the NHL dedicated a refurbished street hockey rink in predominately black Southeast D.C.

Recently, though, questions have been raised how inclusive the NHL really is in other areas. Since August, three national hockey writers have been fired for making predatory advances towards female hockey fans online and via text message.

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By Chris Gordon 9 years ago

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On Alex Ovechkin, the Sochi Olympics, and Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws

This story was inevitable. Russia’s strict laws regarding gay people and the upcoming Sochi Olympics have put some of our favorite players in awkward position. Luckily, Alex Ovechkin acquitted himself perfectly well during media time on Monday. Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk did not fare as well. This is going to get worse before it gets better.

Note: My opinion is my own and does not necessarily reflect all of RMNB.

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By Peter Hassett 10 years ago

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