As part of Pride Night festivities, Toronto Maple Leafs players are wearing a Pride Night version of their logo on their helmets and masks. Russian goaltender Ilya Samsonov was the lone exception, citing Russia's anti-LGBTQ2S laws.
As part of Pride Night festivities, Toronto Maple Leafs players are wearing a Pride Night version of their logo on their helmets and masks. Russian goaltender Ilya Samsonov was the lone exception, citing Russia's anti-LGBTQ2S laws.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov elected not to wear a Pride Night decal on his mask during warmups ahead of his team's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Samsonov, who is backing up goaltender Joseph Woll, cited Russia's current anti-LGTQ2S law as the reason, through a team spokesman.
The Russian goaltender was not available for comment on the decision. He has taken part in Pride Night festivities before.
"As folks may or may not know, in the past, Ilya has actually supported Pride events with the Washington Capitals. But with the introduction of the new law in Russia as of this past December, it's definitely created an uncertainty for his family's safety back home," Maple Leafs manager for culture and inclusion Mark Fraser told TSN during their pre-game broadcast. "To be frank, from my personal perspective of the work I've been able to do with the team, with the club and with the players, Ilya is someone who has most certainly bought in. He truly loves our game and believes that the game should be available and inclusive to all. We're fortunate here with the Maple Leafs to have also have members in our locker room from the LGBTQ+ community and watching how Ilya is in his care and genuine relationship with those individuals, I'm very confident of where he stands on this. It's created a little uncertainty for him and his family's safety."
This past December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law harsher anti-LGBTQ2S laws, making it illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal".
The Leafs opted for a Pride Night decal to be worn during the warmup and game as part of their annual game in support of the inclusion of the LGBTQ2S community.
Related
Maple Leafs Plans for Pride Night Includes Helmet Decals But Not Jerseys
Maple Leafs’ Matt Murray Diagnosed With Head Injury: "Difficult To Put A Real Timeline On It"