The Pittsburgh Penguins declared that “Respect and inclusion are at the heart of hockey” Thursday as the NHL organization hosted its Pride Night game against the St. Louis Blues.
Penguins players, coaches, and management celebrated Pride Night by having LGBT-themed nameplates in the locker room, using Pride tape on their sticks during warmups, and creating Pride-themed displays.
“I think it speaks volumes for what the Penguins represent, and that’s inclusivity,” Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan said in a release from the Penguins. “We live in a polarizing world, and for the Penguins organization and our players to utilize the platform that we have for the right reasons, I think it’s a good thing.”
Respect and inclusion are at the heart of hockey. pic.twitter.com/WRQ0Nkl998
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 13, 2025
“I think our guys take it seriously,” Sullivan, who coached the USA men’s national team during the Four Nations Face-Off, added. “They’re always looking to find ways to make a positive impact on our community, and that’s one of the privileges that we have, being in the positions that we are with the platform that we have.”
Captain Sidney Crosby used the Pride-themed tape in pregame warmups and hosted Pittsburgh’s first LGBT hockey team, according to the release.
Everyone is welcome on our ice.
Bid on our Pride auction featuring signed specialty pucks, custom autographed nameplates, and more: https://t.co/hVGLygVsqO pic.twitter.com/8eVo0L2wUA
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 13, 2025
“Today, and every day, hockey is for everyone,” Crosby said.
The NHL’s ban on Pride tape was lifted in 2023 after Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott defied the ban and after meetings with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition.
While the Penguins celebrated Pride Night on the ice with a 5-3 victory over the Blues, many fans on social media criticized the team’s actions.
“For years sports of every kind was not political The NHL has now become political,” one X user posted. “It has become an arm or the radical Left.”
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“It’s no wonder the team I’ve followed since watching games in the blue uniforms in the Civic Arena sucks now,” a fan commented. “How about concentrate on winning a fin playoff series and worry about one thing….. winning …..or is that secondary now??”
“I have been a Penguin fan since 1975..I have watched and listened ( before they were on t.v. in the early years) to the games,” according to one X user. “Please do not start this political garbage. It’s a sporting event and you should keep it that way!”