By defying NHL rules using Pride Tape, Coyotes defenceman Travis Dermott helped create a platform for the LGBTQ+ community in the game of hockey.
All it takes is for one player to take a stand and everything could change. That’s what Arizona Coyotes defenceman Travis Dermott did in changing the way NHL players are allowed to voice their support for social issues.
The NHL made a decision prior to the start of this season to ban players from using Pride Tape which caused quite an uproar from people across the league.
Anybody could have stood up for the LGBTQ+ community in the NHL but Dermott decided due to personal events in his life, he had to be the one to support and make a statement for the community that he cares so much about by using Pride Tape on the shaft of his stick during last week’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
“For me, Just had a baby, got another in a couple months,” Dermott said. “You really kind of put your life into perspective and stuff like that happens to my close family that's tied with the community, it really just gets you thinking, you want to be the best example you can be for young kids that are watching NHL players on a nightly basis on TV. I think it's really important for us to portray positive messages in the community.”
The result of Dermott’s actions was tremendous. Fans and players rushed to support the 26-year-old defenceman and most importantly, the NHL reversed its original ban on Pride Tape showing what sort of impact one person can truly make.
All the support and encouraging words Dermott has been receiving is inspiring and touching for him as it was unclear what the reaction would be following all of this specifically from the NHL.
“Nothing but support,” Dermott said of the response he has been receiving. “Guys come up to me, just told me how much it meant to them. Sometimes some guys have close family, kind of like I do that was impacted by this. Just getting messages from them, so they were kind of passing along that love.”
While Dermott helped pave the way for players to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, he knows that his work is far from over and there are still steps to be made by the NHL to fully embrace this cause.
“I'm trying to make a game plan with our organization here and try to just kind of take the best step forward,” Dermott said. “I really wasn't expecting the world to be changed, so that was already in the back of my mind how I would kind of take my next step. You don't want to break rules every game, but kind of show my support other ways so that was definitely in the back of my head going forward that we would have a next step and work towards a plan…”
The Coyotes will have Pride Night at Mullett Arena on Friday during their game against the Los Angeles Kings showing further support for the LGBTQ+ community.