Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko skips warm-up over Pride jersey
Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko is the latest NHL player to get embroiled in the league's Pride jersey controversy.
The Russian winger skipped warm-ups ahed of the Canucks' annual Pride game against the Calgary Flames on Friday. His teammates took to the ice wearing a themed jersey celebrating the LGBTQ community.
Coach Rick Tocchet said earlier in the day that Kuzmenko decided not to wear the special uniform following discussions with his family.
“I'm not going to get into it because we don't know the deals that happen over there. So I respect his decision,” Tocchet said.
Kuzmenko, 27, has become a fan favourite in his first NHL season due to his wide smile and outgoing personality.
He has 37 goals and 31 assists in 73 games, and leads the Canucks in goals.
Designed by local artist Christin Hryc, the jerseys featured a rainbow, flowers and butterflies across the Canucks' orca logo. The shoulders included rainbow patches on the shoulders and, on the back, the words “You Can Play” replaced each player's last name.
Several players publicly committed to wearing the uniforms ahead of Friday's game.
“I think everyone in this room is looking forward to it,” defenceman Quinn Hughes said Wednesday. “And I know in our organization, everyone's welcome.
“Every time we've done Pride night, I've worn the jersey and celebrated the night.”
Star centre Elias Pettersson said Friday that he, too, is in support of the annual event.
“I think it's important to show that everyone is welcome here,” he said. “And I'll wear the jersey tonight.”
Vancouver has a number of other initiatives planned for Friday, including a pre-game drag show outside Rogers Arena and in-game performances. A $20,000 donation is also being made to QMUNITY, a Vancouver non-profit that supports LGBTQ people and their allies.
Kuzmenko joins a handful of NHL players who've declined to wear Pride jerseys this season, including Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, and Buffalo Sabres blue liner Ilya Lyubushkin.
Whether a player wears the themed jersey comes down to individual rights, new NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said in Toronto on Thursday.
“The LGBTQ community shouldn't feel that the NHL hockey players are turning their back on that community. The majority of the players have worn the jersey,” said Walsh, who has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights during his political career.
He added the league will likely have more conversations about the issue moving forward.
“But I think it's really important that as a league and as locker rooms, we're inclusive and that we support all people's right to support the game,” Walsh said.
- With files from Joshua Clipperton in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.