Carolina Hurricanes pull out all the stops for Pride Night
The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t messing around when it comes to celebrating Pride Night.
Before hosting the Montreal Canadiens at PNC Arena on Sunday, the name of the team’s Twitter account was changed to ‘Hockey Is For Everyone.’
On top of the rainbow tape used during warmups, the team released a touching video about the impact and importance of sport in the LGBTQ community.
You Belong. You are welcome. You are part of this family.#HockeyIsForEveryone pic.twitter.com/9txd7HPzXE
— Hockey Is For Everyone 🏳️🌈 (@NHLCanes) March 24, 2019
“It’s important to me that everyone feels welcome coming into the locker room,” said Trevor van Riemsdyk, Carolina’s Hockey is for Everyone ambassador. “It’s a place that everyone should feel safe and welcome to be who they are.”
“Growing up as a gay fan, the Hurricanes — and hockey in general — just kind of provided me a chance to get away from the things I was going through,” said Chris Moore, a supporter of the team. “So, that’s why I think it’s really important.”
Proceeds from an auction organized by the team will benefit LGBTQ organizations in North Carolina.
The contest had some major playoff implications. The two squads entered the game sitting in the Eastern Conference wild card spots. The Hurricanes were five point up on the Columbus Blue Jackets before puck drop; the Canadiens only three.
Down 1-0, van Riemsdyk’s third goal of the season tied the game up before Andrei Svechnikov scored the overtime winner for Carolina.
Svech made it happen! #TakeWarning pic.twitter.com/SStiGAWS1F
— Hockey Is For Everyone 🏳️🌈 (@NHLCanes) March 25, 2019
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