When the NHL implemented new guidelines for theme nights during the June meetings of the NHL Board of Governors, the use of rainbow or Pride tape on players’ sticks was banned.
That new rule was not followed by Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott when he wrapped the shaft of his stick with rainbow tape during Arizona’s home opener at the Mullet Arena on Saturday.
“You don’t really want to go against rules that are put in place by your employer, but there’s some people who took some positive things from it,” Dermott told The Athletic. “That’s kind of what I’m looking to impact. You want to have everyone feel included and that’s something that I have felt passionate about for a long time in my career.”
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Dermott added: “It’s not like I just jumped on this train. It’s something that I’ve felt has been lacking in the hockey community for a while. I feel like we need supporters of a movement like this, to have everyone feel included and really beat home the idea that hockey is for everyone.”
The 26-year-old defenseman from Newmarket, Canada realizes that some people may believe he is putting his career on the line, but he has no regrets — outside of making sure his teammates and the Coyotes organization knew what he was doing prior to puck drop.
“I don’t want to put my teammates or my coaches or my GMs or the equipment managers in any kind of bad light when it’s their job to kind of look out for something like this happening,” he said. “It was definitely something that I did just by myself and was prepared to kind of deal with whatever repercussions the league decides to push towards that. I’m not going to back off and say that this battle is won, but we’re going to find better ways to do it.”
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The league has yet to discipline Dermott for using the banned tape on his stick and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said there was no timeline for the league to decide on a punishment, if any, according to The Athletic.
For Dermott, the issue is not one he plans to step away from in the future.
“It’s not like I’m shutting up and going away,” he said. “… We’re just going to be as prepared as we can be to just spread love. That’s the thing. It’s gay pride that we’re talking about, but it could be men’s health. It could be any war. It’s just wanting world peace. Everyone’s got to love each other a little bit more.”
The 2015 first-round draft pick may be the first player to defy the league, but many others will probably follow suit given how many have been outspoken when the ban was announced.
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Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie Coyle joined Boston’s Pride Parade with his then-fiance Kiley Sullivan and their French bulldog, Otto, in June to show support for the community they live in.
“I think it’s something that’s really important to us,” McAvoy said during the parade. “So, we came here today to show support. I thought it was really important for us.”
Featured image via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
