NHL Bans Alterations to Uniforms, Gear for Theme Nights — Including Pride Night

The ruling comes after the league faced criticism last season over players opting out of supporting causes like Pride Night

The National Hockey League has instituted sweeping new measures barring players from showing their support for various organizations and causes on the ice.

A memo was sent to players last week sharing updated guidelines on what can and cannot be worn or added to their uniforms and gear during theme nights, which include Pride, Hockey Fights Cancer and military appreciation, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, NHL Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to the AP that the memo had been sent to players.

The new rules dictate that uniforms and gear for games, warmups and official team practices cannot be at all altered to reflect, support or acknowledge theme nights. The ruling means that rainbow-colored tape on players’ sticks for Pride nights, as well as pride uniforms will no longer be allowed on the ice.

The NHL did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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The NHL launched its “Hockey is for Everyone” campaign in February 2017 as it aimed to create a more inclusive environment and promote diversity among sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, ability and socioeconomic status.

Part of the month-long celebration, which became an annual tradition and has been followed ever since, players would use rainbow-colored tape or “pride tape,” on their equipment during warmups and team-specific pride shirts were sold, per The Athletic.

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Kurt Weaver, chief operations officer of the You Can Play project, which partners with the NFL and its "Hockey Is For Everyone" campaign, confirmed to NBC News that teams will be barred from letting players have rainbow tape on their sticks or wear Pride-related gear.

"When you start to take away what is our most visible representations, what carries the most weight in messaging, is those heroes that you see on the ice standing up for what they believe and what they believe is right," he told the outlet. "And removing those things from the ice is a tough one."

He acknowledged the progress the league has made in fighting homophobia in sports and promoting inclusion, but noted that the ban would greatly hinder that.

"It's hard to reconcile that right now, with decisions like this. But I see too many great things that the clubs do, that hockey in general does," Weaver explained. "It's success after success. But that right now is clouded by a really poor decision that's going to overtake all that good work."

The ban comes after the NHL had a bumpy ride with Pride celebrations.

Backlash originated in January when Philadelphia Flyers defender Ivan Provorov refused to join his team in wearing pre-game jerseys and using hockey sticks adorned with rainbow colors in support of the LBGTQ+ community.

Provorov told reporters that he chose not to participate to "stay true to myself and my religion," adding that he identified as Russian Orthodox.

"I respect everyone," the Russian native said. "I respect everybody's choices."

In March, goaltender James Reimer, then with the San Jose Sharks, refused to wear the team’s pride jersey, too, as he also cited his religious beliefs.

In a statement, he referenced the Bible and said he was “choosing not to endorse something that is counter to” his personal convictions.

Related: Chicago Blackhawks Reverse Plan to Wear Pride Warmup Jerseys, Citing Russian Laws: Reports

Following Provorov and Reimer’s — among others’ — decision, Luke Prokop, the first openly gay player with a contract under the NHL, shared his disappointment with the league and its players in light of the lack of inclusion.

"I share the disappointment in what feels like a step back for inclusion in the NHL," Prokop, 21, wrote in a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).

He said the pride nights and jerseys "play an important role in promoting respect and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community," and the lack of enthusiasm around the league is "disheartening."

Related: Nashville Predators Prospect Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay, Making NHL History: 'I Am Proud'

The Nashville Predators prospect noted that "the focus" of the league's initiative to grow advocacy has "become about the players who aren't participating rather than the meaning of the night itself."

"Everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs but I think it's important to recognize the difference between endorsing a community and respecting individuals within it," Prokop continued, adding that the pride nights "are an essential step" for the league.

He said there’s “still progress to be made” and he “strongly” believes that the NHL can become "an environment where every player feels comfortable bringing their authentic selves to the game" if teams and players can "prioritize diversity and inclusion."

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