National Hockey League (NHL)’s Post

Transcript

It felt incredible, this stuff under the ice for the first time in the league. Tonight was the first game of the Seattle Pride Hockey League. It was a mix of a bunch of different where people allies in the area to get the other place in hockey. Seattle is such a dense market of hockey players. It's allowed Seattle Pride Hockey Association to really grow. Moved out to Seattle in 2018. I went to an evaluation skate and at that skate I sort of intentionally used Pride tape, sort of a way to, I don't know, out myself, identify myself. Good day or two later, Steven reached out to me and was like, hey, I saw your Pride tape and wasn't sure if you were a member of the LGBT community, but I am. Shortly after meeting Steven, we recognize the opportunity to create an organization that would serve the Pacific Northwest ice hockey community, advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, making the sport for everyone. Seattle Pride Classic to be one of the most inclusive hockey tournaments in the country, welcoming all people of from all different diverse backgrounds. Started off in 2021 is that four team event. Four years later, the Seattle Pride Classic has close to 300 participants for up to 20 teams. Last year I had such an awesome time. It was an easy decision to come back again this year and to play and to be a part of different groups and the teams and just you know, get on the ice and you know, make some memories. Doesn't matter who you are. What your orientation is, what your gender identity is. You're here to play hockey, have a good time and enjoy the game. Given the size of Seattle Right Classic, it felt appropriate that we should attempt to create Seattle Pride Hockey League. We filled up a a huge interest list within days to play with all the people that are part of the LGBT community that we don't get that kind of exposure to everyone in the community very often. You have so much fun. People flocked to these organizations because there is, I think, a need for underrepresented communities to have a center, to have organizations that are saying we are here to serve you. When we talk about growth and diversity and providing opportunities. Seattle Pride Hockey Association is a trendsetter. And when you have individuals like Joey and Steven who are leaders in this space, they have dedicated the time and their talents and their passions to allow individuals to feel supported and to feel like they can come together around hockey. And that's what a community really is. And so through our support with this organization, we want to make sure that the community knows that the NHL is here to support. It's truly remarkable what we've created and what the community has been so drawn to.