Report: Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly Supportive of Travis Dermott’s Move to Use Pride Tape
Dermott was spotted using the Pride Tape during the Arizona Coyotes' 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
Morgan Rielly has thrown his support behind former teammate Travis Dermott after he used Pride Tape following its ban at the start of this season.
Dermott, who's been a long time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, has had Pride Tape on his stick dating back to his time with the Maple Leafs. And it looks like the ban wasn't going to stop him from continuing to show that support.
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On Monday, Sportsnet's Luke Fox spoke with Rielly about Dermott's decision to defy the NHL's ban. (Rielly has also been an ally for the LGBTQ+ community, attending Toronto's Pride Parade with the Maple Leafs.)
"If you look back at pictures, he's always done that," the Maple Leafs' alternate captain told Fox. "Whenever you're asked not to do something and you do it anyway, it takes a little bit of courage, and I support him. I think it's a good move by him."
The NHL sent out a memo before the start of this season that stated no players were to use Pride Tape on their sticks. And in the Arizona Coyotes home opener, Dermott made himself the first NHL player to defy that order.
According to Front Office Sports, the 26-year-old defenseman ordered several rolls of the tape when the ban came down.
Although there's been no official statement from the NHL on this matter, the league did tell The Athletic that they "will review it in due course."
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