Philadelphia Flyers Defense Ivan Provorov He did not skate Tuesday night pregame because he refused to wear the team’s LGBTQ+ Pride Night warm-up jersey, citing his religious beliefs.
After the Flyers’ 5-2 home win over the Anaheim Ducks, Provorov, 26, told reporters that his choice was to “stay true to myself and my religion,” and that he became a Russian Orthodox Christian. It was specified that
“I respect everyone. I respect everyone’s choices,” he said.
Before the game, the Flyers wore pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow tape. Both will be auctioned by Flyers for his charity, with proceeds going to efforts to grow the game in various communities.
Provolov was the only Flyers player not to auction his jersey or stick after the game.
The Flyers released a statement ahead of Provorov’s postgame comments.
“The Philadelphia Flyers Organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Flyers will continue to be a strong advocate for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The NHL has not released a statement on the matter as of Tuesday night.
Flyers coach John Tortorella said he never considered scratching Provolov for not warming up.
“With Provy, he’s true to himself and his religion,” said the Flyers’ first-year coach. “This has to do with his beliefs and his religion. One of the things I admire about Provi about him is that he is always true to himself. By the way.”
Tortorella has previously made headlines for his stance on pre-game protests. , after seeing the 2020 racial injustice protests, reversed its stance and said it would no longer punish players who protested before games.
“If one of the players wants to protest during the national anthem, I hope he can bring it up and talk about it and let me know what he thinks and what he wants to do. From there, I The team will discuss it the same way we discuss it in our country right now,” Tortorella told The Athletic at the time.
Messages to You Can Play, a social action campaign partnered with the NHL since 2013, and the Philadelphia Falcons, an LGBTQ+ football program invited as guests of the Flyers, were not returned.
The Pride event is part of the NHL and NHLPA’s year-round “Hockey Is For Everyone” initiative.
“For more than a decade, the NHL has stepped up its support for the LGBTQ+ community on and off the ice year-round,” said Kim Davis, NHL Senior Executive Vice President for Pride Month 2022.
The Flyers has supported the LGBTQ+ community for years. Their mascot, Gritty, is famous for participating in the Philadelphia Pride Parade.
