One Blackhawks player condemns his team’s decision to not wear ‘Pride jerseys’

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the Chicago Blackhawks declined to wear Pride jerseys during Pride Night, citing security concerns for their three players of Russian heritage. The decision was made by team and security officials, not the players themselves. Nikita Zaitsev, Philipp Kurashev and Anton Khudobin all have Russian heritage and it was the team’s security officials that made the call.

On Thursday, players and head coach Luke Richardson were asked about the decision to not take part in the Pride Night festivities. While most did support management’s decision, defenseman Connor Murphy did take the opportunity to express his disappointment and confusion over the team’s decision to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I don’t think we have anyone, that I know of, that wouldn’t support that,” Murphy said. “I think it was surprising to see that stuff came up this year. We’ve been doing it for so many years, so it’s not like it’s a new subject. … It is a bit disappointing (to see around the league). It seems like we have so many other nights, and nobody raises any issues. Hockey is about inclusion, about growing the community and the game. I don’t see why anyone would have a need to feel like they don’t support a certain group. If it’s about the game and about bringing everyone together and about equality, everyone should always be supportive of that.”

Murphy is the Blackhawks’ longest-tenured player in Jonathan Toews’ absence. He had expressed his enthusiasm to wear the Pride jerseys in an interview on March 8 with The Athletic and expected all of his teammates to take part in the event like in previous years.

While Murphy condemns the decision that was taken without speaking with players, he reminds fans that the night is more than about a jersey and that the Blackhawks’ dressing room still support the cause.

Before and during the intermissions of Sunday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, there will be performances by a number of LGBTQ groups, including the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus and the Chicago Gay Hockey Association.

“Our organization does a lot of great jobs throughout the year supporting a lot of causes in our community,” Murphy said. “They have the right heart in wanting to support every group and keep making hockey an inclusive sport. That’s important for kids to feel and understand. I still have faith in that and our sport and organization and team. Everything will come out positive.”

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