“Stop It With This Bullsh*T” : Days After Ivan Provov’s Boycott, Minnesota Wild’s Latest Actions Leaves NHL World Divided

After Ivan Provov’s boycott of the pride night tradition of wearing a rainbow-themed jersey, the Minnesota Wild’s decision to do the same made fans strongly react. According to this tradition, players wear rainbow-themed jerseys to show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. While some ice hockey fans advised the Minnesota Wild to stay out of politics, other fans were divided about the importance given to the pride night. 

As per reports, Minnesota Wild players were supposed to wear rainbow-themed jerseys to show their support towards the LGBTQIA+ community for their recent game versus the Calgary Flames. Surprisingly, Minnesota Wild wasn’t the first team to not wear rainbow-themed jerseys. Before them, the news that the New York Rangers didn’t wear these jerseys in the warm-up games also recently surfaced. Responding to a recent Facebook post about the Minnesota Wild’s decision, few fans even recommended that the Wilds focus on their game. Some fans also criticized the over-hyped report that NHL fans were furious. So what was the report that triggered fans to strongly react?

A report that forced fans to react 

The Facebook page Let’s Go Flyers re-shared a report by the Flyers Insiders, stoking controversy. This report quoted a recent Twitter post by the American sports journalist Michael Russo. 

Updating fans, Russo stated, “#mnwild players who were supposed to wear Pride jerseys tonight and did so in the last season, are not wearing them in the warmups. Told it was an organizational decision.” 

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With this, the report also pointed out that this action was different from Minnesota Wild’s earlier stance by quoting Wild’s statement, “We will continue to utilize our platform to strengthen our community and create a greater State of hockey.”  Responding bluntly to this recent report on Facebook, fans gave intriguing reactions. 

NHL fans give their honest opinion of what they think of the controversy 

Later, a fan posted a debatable comment, “Good it should NOT be in sports anyways.”  Reacting to this, a fan responded, “These comments showing exactly why Pride nights are needed in the first place.”

A fan also disregarded this report, saying, “I don’t see much of other team sites but man it sure seems like there’s a pride celebration every other week with this team. We get it. Everyone’s included.”  Later, a fan also advised  Minnesota Wild, “Play the game. Stay out of religion, politics and people’s private lives.”  NHL fans’ mixed reactions clearly indicate a divided opinion about the importance given to the Pride Night tradition. 

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NHL fans’ opinions have stirred up a debate about whether the tradition should be continued. What are your thoughts on this debate? Share your views in the comments section.