Earlier this yr, the NHL banned gamers from sporting jerseys and different gear coinciding with their respective crew’s theme nights on the ice.
However on Thursday, the New Jersey Devils bent the principles a bit so gamers may don such sweaters.
The Devils are holding a “Hockey is for Everybody” Night time – primarily a Delight Night time – on Thursday in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers.
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The group had a neighborhood designer, Kathryn Kennedy, design Delight-themed sweaters, and members of the crew entered Prudential Middle sporting them.
“Popping out is definitely one thing that’s not at all times straightforward, and it may take some time for somebody to really feel comfy sufficient to do it,” Kennedy stated. “I can solely hope that this design, and Delight Night time, helps another person really feel revered, even, and welcome.
“These theme nights let people who find themselves aside of their respective communities know that they’re seen, heard, and welcome, that that is one thing for them. It’s an enormous honor to be concerned within the Devils’ Delight Night time, and my hope is that I’ve created one thing that helps others really feel accepted and appreciated.”
That is already the crew’s second Delight-themed night time of the season.
Coordinating with the league’s coverage, the uniforms weren’t worn on the ice throughout warm-ups. The Devils say they are going to be auctioned off.
Whereas the jerseys weren’t worn on the ice, Curtis Lazar put Delight tape on his stick throughout warm-ups. The league initially banned Delight tape when the brand new jersey laws have been put in place, however after gamers defied it, that ban was reversed.
The Devils will even be holding “Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Night time,” a “Black Historical past Celebration” and “Gender Equality Night time” this season.
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The Arizona Coyotes have been the primary crew to carry a Delight night time this season, with members of the crew, just like the Devils, getting into their area with such jerseys.
Earlier this season, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was threatened with punishment if he wore a Native American-themed masks to honor his spouse’s background. He did so anyway.
The problem was dropped at mild final season when Philadelphia Flyers‘ Ivan Provorov opted to not put on the crew’s Delight-themed jersey throughout warm-ups, citing his faith. Different gamers and groups adopted swimsuit for numerous causes, in the end main NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to nix all themed jerseys to “maintain the deal with the sport.”
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