Breaking: NHLPA issues official statement regarding anthem protests

The biggest news in the sporting world over the past week has no doubt been the protests across the NFL in response to escalating racism and police brutality in the United States. Players, coaches and owners across the league have taken a silent form of protest be electing to kneel for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, a protest which has led to fury from many American citizens, including President Donald Trump. Many see the protest as an act of disrespect for the flag, the nation and those who have fought to serve and protect.

In the wake of these protests, several NHLers have gone on record either in support or against “taking a knee”. Now, the NHLPA, the players’ union, has come out with an official statement regarding its players’ right to protest. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman took to Twitter to highlight one passage in particular, check it out:

And there you have it. If a player, whether it’s San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward or Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, who have both admitted that they’re considering the peaceful protest, decide to take a knee they’ll have the full support of the NHLPA.

What do you think of the NHLPA’s stance? Will you boycott the NHL if any player decides to kneel for the anthem? That’s the reaction by many football fans, could it happen in hockey as well?