Connor McDavid Condemns the Staal Brothers

PUBLICATION

Jon
March 24, 2023 (12:40)

SHARE THIS STORY

Connor McDavid and teammate Zach Hyman were not fans of Eric and Marc Staal's decision to opt out of the Florida Panthers' Pride Night on Thursday.

McDavid and Hyman Show Solidarity with LGBTQ+ Folks with Latest Comments

Like it or not, the discussion of NHL Pride Nights and whether or not players ought to participate is nothing other than a reality these days. As divisive as it is, players aren't making it any easier by opting out of these events.

Sure, it's their right to do as they please without any sort of legal backlash, but that doesn't shelter them from public opinion or that of their peers. Eric and Marc Staal - along with several other players - have taken that path, and some of their peers have taken the complete opposite stance.

When a marquee player like Connor McDavid takes a side, it makes a huge difference.

"I feel very strongly that hockey needs to be inclusive � and include everybody," McDavid said.

Oilers F Zach Hyman reinforced his captain with strong words:

"Hockey really is for everyone,» Hyman said. «I've got a bunch of gay friends. My best friend's brother is gay. It's just normal. It's important to celebrate it and celebrate the entire community. Taping a stick is the least we can do.

But it can show you support the entire community. More importantly, you just want to do everything you can to make everybody who doesn't feel included in society feel included. This community has not always felt included in aspects of sport and life. For us as hockey players, it's important to show that it doesn't matter what your gender is, what your ethnicity is, what your race is or what your sexual orientation is. You're welcome in the hockey world.

A good gesture like that can show that we care."