By Canadian Press

Montreal Canadiens forward Denis Gurianov won’t take warmup on Pride night Thursday

Apr 6, 2023 | 9:21 AM

Montreal Canadiens forward Denis Gurianov won’t participate in warmup for the team’s Pride night on Thursday ahead of a game against the Washington Capitals, head coach Martin St. Louis said.

The Canadiens will wear rainbow-coloured warmup jerseys as part of the Pride night celebration.  

St. Louis said Gurianov’s decision was for family reasons. 

The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game, with proceeds benefitting You Can Play, a non-profit committed to fighting homophobia in sports, and GRIS-Montreal, a research and social intervention group which demystifies homosexuality, bisexuality and gender identities in schools.

A small group of NHLers have declined to wear Pride warmup jerseys this season, including Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov, Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, and Buffalo Sabres blueliner Ilya Lyubushkin.

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A Russian law restricts “propaganda” about LGBTQ+ people, including in advertising, media and the arts. Other NHL players have cited religious beliefs for declining to wear Pride jerseys.

Some teams have altered or cancelled plans surrounding similar events.

On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not wear a Pride-themed jersey during warmup, opting instead for rainbow stick tape and a decal on their helmets. The Leafs have held Pride nights in support of the LGBTQ+ community since 2017, but have never sported special warmup jerseys.
 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2023.

The Canadian Press