NHL backtracks on Pride Tape ban, will allow players to represent social causes

The National Hockey League is ending its ban on players supporting social causes on their equipment, including a popular stick tape in support of the LGBTQ community, the league announced on Tuesday.

The move comes days after Arizona Coyotes defenceman Travis Dermott defied the ban and added Pride Tape to his stick during a game on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks.

"After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the league posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The manufacturer of the rainbow-coloured tape posted on X that it was "extremely happy" with the move.

"We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all."

We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season. <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nhl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLPA</a> <a href="https://t.co/XjmQUZkMbD">pic.twitter.com/XjmQUZkMbD</a>

Prior to the start of this season, the NHL sent a memo to teams clarifying what players can and cannot do as part of theme celebrations this season, including a ban on the use of rainbow-coloured stick tape for the Pride nights that have become a hot-button issue in hockey.

The move drew criticism from You Can Play, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ participation in sports and has partnered with the NHL for the past decade,