Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko will not be wearing a Pride-themed jersey Friday night when his team hosts the Calgary Flames for their annual Pride Game.
Head Coach Rick Tocchet says he respects Andrei’s decision, who spoke with his family before deciding to not wear a Pride-themed jersey.
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“The opportunity to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is very important to our entire organization,” said Michael Doyle, President, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Business Operations earlier this week.
“Pride night and all the incredible activities that highlight this evening, is special for a number of reasons. Besides raising awareness and understanding, it also lets our fan base know that everyone is welcome here at Rogers Arena. Our club believes strongly in diversity and inclusion, and we look forward to celebrating these core values with our community.”
The Pride-themed jerseys are designed by local artist Christin Hryc, who has been working on this project for the past four months.
During his first NHL season in Vancouver, Kuzmenko has quickly become a fan favourite with his outgoing personality and electrifying play.