NHL bans use of Pride Tape on ice in updated guidance for theme nights

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The NHL announced in June that teams would no longer be permitted to wear specialty jerseys as a part of theme night initiatives after several players decided not to participate in wearing Pride Night warmup sweaters last season. 

The league doubled down and informed teams last week they will also no longer be permitted to use rainbow stick tape. 

A stick during warmups in support of the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone initiative during Pride Night prior to a game at the United Center March 5, 2020, in Chicago.  (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press Tuesday that the league issued a memo to all 32 teams last week clarifying the rules players must abide by for theme nights.

NHL PLAYERS WILL NOT WEAR PRIDE JERSEYS DURING WARMUPS ANYMORE: 'KEEPING THE FOCUS ON THE GAME’

It included a ban on Pride Tape for sticks and reaffirmed that specialty sweaters for themed nights, including Pride, Hockey Fights Cancer or military appreciation celebrations, will not be permitted on the ice. 

ESPN first reported about the memo last week. According to a league source, the memo reportedly stated that "players should be encouraged to express themselves off the ice." 

Pride Tape, the makers of the athletic tape, released a statement on social media addressing the "setback." 

"The Pride Tape team is extremely disappointed by the NHL's decision to eliminate Pride Tape from any league on-ice activities," the statement said in part. 

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"The league has used language in recent days which would prohibit the tape from any proximity to NHL Hockey.