Brothers Eric and Marc Staal decline to wear Panthers' Pride Night jerseys

Brothers Eric and Marc Staal, who both play for the Florida Panthers, did not participate in the pregame skate Thursday night because they declined to wear the team's LGBTQIA+ Pride Night warmup sweaters, citing their religious beliefs.

The brothers were in the lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they also were participants during team's morning skate.

«After many thoughts, prayers and discussions we have chosen not to wear a pride night jersey tonight,» the brothers said in a statement released by the Panthers. «We carry no judgement on how people choose to live their lives, and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey. Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a pride jersey it goes against our Christian beliefs.

»We hope you can respect this statement, we will not be speaking any further on this matter and would like to continue to focus on the game and helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup."

Their decision to not wear Pride Night warmup sweaters is the latest development in what has become one of the most polarizing topics in the NHL this season. On Wednesday, The Associated Press reported that the Chicago Blackhawks would not wear Pride-themed warmup sweaters before their Sunday home game against the Vancouver Canucks because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGTBQIA+ rights in the nation.

«I can understand [why people are upset] when things are announced one way and then changed,» Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday. «But I hope that people understand we all support them. Whether it's someone in the gay community or someone in any other community… we