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Out In The Open - May 14, 2012 – Vol. 65, Issue 24 - Adam Proteau

People forget how political the professional hockey world can be, especially for the players who aren’t the can’t-miss, cream-of-the-cream-of-the-crop. Opportunities are so scarce that the wrong move off the ice can hinder a player’s chance at success as much as any injury could.

So when Tommy Wingels, a San Jose Sharks center who spent most of 2011-12 playing for Worcester in the American League, threw his full public support behind the You Can Play (YCP) project – founded last year to ensure equality, safety and respect for all athletes with no regard to sexual orientation – he had no way of knowing what the ramifications might be. That he did so anyway is why he has my vote to win this year’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Some will say Wingels’ commitment to stamping out homophobia in hockey and all sports makes him a better candidate for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which honors the player who best “exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution.”

While Wingels does qualify on all those counts, the Masterton is awarded to someone who demonstrates “perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication” to hockey. To me, Wingels’ efforts to open the door for gay athletes make the sport better. At a time when hockey participation isn’t rising, the YCP project helps increase the base of participants in the game. To me, true sportsmanship and dedication to the game means finding room for as many people to love it a s possible.

It’s easy to see why YCP means so much to Wingels: The young man whose life it celebrates – Brendan Burke (the son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke), who perished tragically in a February 2010 car accident – became good friends with Wingels when he was playing for Miami University and Brendan was the team’s student manager.

Wingels was one of the first people on the team Brendan came out to and he ensured Brendan was treated with respect at all times. Wingels, along with Phoenix Coyotes prospect (and former Miami teammate) Andy Miele, were the first two hockey players to lend their names to YCP. They are, in their own way, pioneers in tolerance. And it is because of Brendan Burke’s life and legacy that they’re such proud advocates for understanding. “I had no second thoughts about helping this project,” Wingels said. “From Day 1, I was on board. It was important to talk to teammates, as it’s only my second year in the NHL here. In that sense it was important to reach out to them and they were super-supportive of it. Guys approached me on how they could get involved and the support we’ve had from the rest of the team and fans has been unbelievable.”

Former Sharks Forward Signs With Reigning Stanley Cup Champions Former San Jose Sharks forward Luke Kunin has signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champions, the <a href="http://thn.com/florida">Florida Panthers</a>.

THE YOU CAN PLAY PROJECT TOUCHES THE LIVES OF KIDS– TOMMY WINGELS

Patrick Burke, Brian’s son and Brendan’s brother, is You Can Play’s founder. He thinks that, thanks in part to the surge of support Wingels helped create – a surge that included stars such as Claude Giroux, Rick Nash, Zdeno Chara and Duncan Keith joining the chorus – the day is coming when the NHL has its first out-of-the-closet player.

And he thinks that day is coming soon. “Within the next two years, I predict we’ll have an openly gay National Hockey League player,” Patrick Burke said. “That is my personal belief – and numerous people, including people within the charity, disagree with me completely. It’s my opinion only, but I think I’m right.

“Our athletes have made it clear they support their teammates, management has made it clear through their support of You Can Play, fans have made it clear, the commissioner has made it clear, the league office has made it clear. I believe players will take a little while and make sure we’re not going anywhere, that YCP and the Burke family are here to stay. And within the next couple years they’ll know that this is a league in which they can come out and still play.”

When someone finally does, when hockey players anywhere can be themselves without fear of being attacked or belittled, it will be in part because of YCP and brave young men like Wingels. He fights this fight not just for Brendan, but for the sport of hockey.

That’s why he deserves the Masterton. “For me, that’s the best part about this,” Wingels said. “If the You Can Play project touches the lives of kids who aren’t willing to come out yet, but who gain con-fidence by seeing there are NHLers who don’t care and people within the hockey community are accepting of this, that’s what’s most important.

“I knew Brendan really well. I saw him do it, and I know other people can do it, so I want to be there for them, too.”

S.J Sharkie Named Mascot of the Year The San Jose Sharks’ mascot, S.J Sharkie, has been named the NHL’s Mascot of the Year, dethroning two-time winner Gritty of the Philadelphia Flyers.

49 Days Until Opening Day: The Sharks' History of Number 49 We are just 49 days away from the San Jose Sharks kicking off their season at the SAP Center against the Vegas Golden Knights.

San Jose Sharks' Quarter Century Mount Rushmore Last week, Bleacher Report released their version of '<a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25228837-every-nhl-teams-mount-rushmore-quarter-century">Every NHL Team's Mount Rushmore of the Quarter Century</a>,' and it had me thinking about who <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/author/william-espy" target="_blank">William Espy</a> and I would put on the San Jose Sharks' Mount Rushmore.

From The Archive: New 'Big Joe' A Winner The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.