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Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first active NHL contract player to declare his homosexuality on Monday.
Prokop, 19, made the announcement in an Instagram post.
“It’s been quite a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come out,” Prokop wrote. “From a young age, I have dreamed of being an NHL player and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to fully develop myself on the ice and improve my chances of achieving my dreams.
No NHL player, active or retired, has come out publicly.
Prokop, a 6-foot-4 right-handed defenseman from Edmonton, Alta., Was selected in the third round by the Predators in the 2020 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators in December and last season played for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League, where he was an assistant captain.
He told ESPN he struggled last season and wanted to come out publicly because he believed it would help calm his mind and allow him to play his best hockey.
Prokop said he made his decision to go out in April when he returned from Calgary after his season ended due to COVID-19.
“I was lying in bed one night, had just deleted a dating app for the fourth or fifth time, and was extremely frustrated because I couldn’t be my real genuine self,” Prokop told ESPN . “At that point I said, ‘Enough. I accept who I am. I want to live the way I want to and I want to accept myself as a gay man.'”
Prokop started talking to some of his family and teammates last year and told Predators management he was gay in June. He said the Predators have been extremely supportive of him, including the first person he spoke to about the team: assistant general manager Brian Poile.
“At that point he showed me a lot of support and told me that the Predators were 1000% behind me and wanted the best for me and that they were proud of me for this, “Prokop told ESPN. “I remember picking up that phone call and the tears started to flow from my eyes, I was so excited. And at that point I thought, this is how I’m going to feel for him. rest of my life. For them to show that support they did at that time, I felt like I could rule the world. “
The Predators also released statements of support for Prokop on Monday.
“The Nashville Predators organization is proud of Luke for his courage in speaking out today and we will stand by him unequivocally in the days, weeks and years to come as he continues to stand up to him. develop as a prospect, ”said Sean, president and CEO of the Predators. said Henri. “A long-standing goal of our organization is equality for all, including the LGBTQ community, and it is important that Luke feels comfortable and is part of an inclusive environment as he moves forward in his career. career.”
Prokop said his decision to exit was made regardless of Carl Nassib’s announcement in June, although Prokop found Nassib’s words and the reaction to his announcement inspiring. Nassib, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, has become the first active NFL player to declare himself gay.
One fear for Prokop was that people would assume he was making his ad to gain attention. However, one of the main reasons he wanted to go out was to live authentically. Last season, he often had to hide his phone from his teammates at the rink.
In his statement, Prokop thanked his “amazing family, friends and agents – who knew this about me and met me with love and support every step of the way.”
“I hope that by sharing who I am I can help others see that gay people are welcome in the hockey community as we work to make sure hockey is really for everyone.” , wrote Prokop. “I may be new to the community, but I can’t wait to learn more about the strong and resilient people who came before me and paved the way for me to be more comfortable today. “
The NHL has worked to be an ally of the LGBTQ + community for over a decade. Players from all 31 teams wrapped their sticks in rainbow tape for Pride Night events. Several players, including Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby, as well as executives such as Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas , marched in local Pride parades.
In 2013, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association partnered with You Can Play, an organization that “strives to ensure the safety and inclusion of everyone in sport, including athletes, players. LGBTQ + coaches and fans ”.
“As NHL players, we all strive to do our part in helping our teams succeed on the ice. Any player who can help in these efforts should be welcomed as a teammate, ”said defenseman Ron Hainsey, then NHLPA board member, Time. “This partnership reinforces the message that the hockey community believes in fairness and equality for all.”
Since Prokop joined the Predators executive, he has said he has received behind-the-scenes support from the NHL. He said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called him recently and told him to contact him anytime.
Prokop said: “It’s hard to express” what it will mean to skate in a game next season knowing that its truth is there.
“I’m going to lace up my skates the same way. I’m going to put my jersey on the same, tie my helmet, put on my gloves,” said Prokop. “But I’m finally going to be able to breathe and breathe out and show the world my true self. And I’m so excited to see where that can take me, not only as a hockey player, but as a person as well.”
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