Maple Leafs Plans for Pride Night Includes Helmet Decals But Not Jerseys

The Toronto Maple Leafs have never worn a Pride jersey for warmup before and that will continue during their annual game in support of the LGBTQ2S community

The Toronto Maple Leafs will wear decals on their helmets and multi-colored tape in support of their annual Pride game when they will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

But they will not be wearing a pride jersey for warmup.

“I believe that actions speak louder than words and especially speak louder than attire,” Morgan Rielly told reporters on Tuesday morning.

The Maple Leafs have not been one of the teams to wear a Pride jersey in years past, so there is no change in that regard. The team has supported the community in other areas, including participation in Toronto's annual Pride Parade.

"It's an opportunity to show our arena, our dressing room are welcoming and inclusive places and we welcome all individual and it's an opportunity to celebrate that," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said, as he wore a Pride-themed Maple Leafs logo on his shirt while addressing reporters. 

Over the last month, several players have come out and elected not to wear a Pride jersey during warmups, putting more of a microscope on each team's involvement with the annual game. Notable players include Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks and Ivan Provorov of the Philadelphia Flyers.

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