NHL rescinds ban on rainbow-colored Pride tape, allowing players to use it on the ice this season

By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer

NHL players will be allowed to use Pride tape this season after all. The league, players union and a committee on inclusion agreed to give players the option to represent social causes with stick tape during warmups, practices and games. It’s a change from guidance provided to teams earlier this season that banned players from using rainbow-colored Pride tape. That drew backlash including LGBTQ+ advocates and players, some of whom said they would use it anyway. Pride nights have been a hot-button issue in hockey since six players chose not to participate in pregame warmups last year.