ST PAUL, Minn. — This season, the Minnesota Wild will host a dozen theme nights, from Educator Appreciation Night next week to Pride Night in March.
However, several sports outlets report that the National Hockey League last week sent a memo to all teams announcing uniforms and gear for official practices, warmups and games cannot be altered to reflect theme nights.
The Wild declined an interview or to provide an official statement but a spokesperson told KARE 11 the team plans to adhere to the new rules - though he said the memo didn't detail consequences for anyone who doesn't.
He also emphasized theme nights will still occur and that players are encouraged to engage in causes they care about off the ice.
Pride Tape released a statement saying it's "extremely disappointed by the NHL's decision." That's the brand selling rainbow tape athletes use on hockey sticks.
Last season, all NHL teams held Pride or Hockey is for Everyone nights but several teams opted out of wearing Pride jerseys. Several players opted out of participating in it for a variety of players, including some Russian-born players who cited their Russian Orthodox religion, which widely backs the anti-LGBTQ+ law.
As a result, some teams, including the Wild, decided not to have any players wear Pride jerseys despite initially telling fans they would.
The NHL has said players opting out of Pride nights served as a distraction to the work teams were doing in the community. Back in June of this year, the league stopped allowing teams to wear any themed jerseys for warmups. The new ban expands that to include gear and to include practices and games.
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