Connor McDavid makes strong statement about Pride Night in the NHL

The Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid felt like it was important to express how he feels about Pride Night. While he didn’t want to speak for other people’s opinions and beliefs, McDavid made a strong statement, saying that he and his teammates strongly believe that hockey is for everyone, and is really looking forward to their Pride Night celebrations.

This season, several players and teams have decline to wear Pride jerseys in warmups. Days after San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer did not take part in pregame warmups last Saturday, the Staal brothers, Eric and Marc, of the Florida Panthers decline to wear the Pride jerseys last night in warmup. Days after San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer did not take part in pregame warmups last Saturday, the Staal brothers, Eric and Marc, of the Florida Panthers decline to wear the Pride jerseys last night in warmup.

However, McDavid took a stand and stated that he and his teammates will support the cause for the team’s latest Pride game on Saturday when the Oilers host the division-rival Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers won’t be wearing Pride jerseys in warmups on Saturday night; they’ve never done so before. But they could in the future.

As the Athletic points out, “ In a further show of support, a video was made of members of the Oilers leadership core — McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse and Zach Hyman — taping their sticks with Pride Tape. That video will be shown at Saturday’s game.

“I feel very strongly that hockey needs to be inclusive — and include everybody,” McDavid said.

That’s the way it should be.