NHL makes reprehensible decision on pride and other special event jerseys

Today, the NHL and the Board of Governors decided that they do not want to deal with any of the backlash they saw this past season when players did not participate in such nights and have made a shocking and reprehensible decision for next season. Beginning next season, teams will no longer wear specialty jerseys on event nights. Considering the NHL, and Gary Bettman in particular, have been preaching about the fact that the league is welcoming to all types of people, this is a massive step backwards to show that hockey is for everyone, as their frequent ad campaigns seem to suggest.

Everyone has the right to their own opinions and beliefs and while many did not agree with the players who chose not to participate, the league, those players and their teams could have handled those situations better and differently. Removing the ability for players to wear specialty jerseys is definitely not the way to handle the situation because good ole' Gary doesn't like the backlash the league is receiving. It is unfortunately a common theme with the NHL when it comes to inclusivity. It is always one step forward and two steps back and as much as fans, players and other employees in the NHL push for the league to be more inclusive, we may not see major change until the "old boys club" no longer has a say.