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Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella reiterated his support for Ivan Provorov’s refusal to wear a Gay Pride jersey, stating that the defenseman “did nothing wrong.”
Provorov boycotted the pregame skate on Tuesday over his refusal to wear a Pride-themed warm-up jersey, citing his Russian Orthodox faith in making the decision.
The hockey world was quickly divided over Provorov’s decision, but Tortorella defended the Russian, saying he “was true to himself and his religion.”
John Tortorella (left) reiterated his support for Ivan Provorov’s (right) refusal to wear a Gay Pride T-shirt
The coach backed his player once again on Thursday and insisted that he did nothing wrong, despite criticism from people.
“Like I said, Provy did nothing wrong,” Tortorella said Thursday, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Just because you don’t agree with his decision doesn’t mean he did something wrong.”
‘Provy is not out there beating a drum against Pride Night. He quietly went about his business.
“He and I had several conversations about how we were going to do this. You have the team, you have him, you have this whole thing going. spoken to [alternate captain Scott Laughton.] I went through the whole process there. [Provorov] He felt strongly about his beliefs. And she stuck with it. And this was discussed, before that.
Samuel Errson #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on while standing in the tunnel leading to the ice surface to warm up before their game against Anaheim at the Wells Fargo Center
Joel Farabee #86, Rasmus Ristolainen #55, Carter Hart #79 and Cam York #45 of the Philadelphia Flyers skate during warmups prior to their game against the Anaheim Ducks
‘But I’m trying to make a correlation of how I got it wrong. Did you ask me if I was going to bench him? Why would I leave him on the bench? Because of a decision he’s making about his beliefs and his religion?
‘It turned out to be a great night for Pride Night. The players were involved. The building was full. There was conscience and everything. Provy did not actively seek or try to oppose it. He just felt that he didn’t want to warm up.
I respect you for your decision. I think the team handled itself well. I thought our entire organization was well managed to make sure we didn’t lose sight that night.
After logging 23 minutes in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over visiting Anaheim on Tuesday, Provorov said: “I respect everyone’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I can do.” I’m going to say.
He did not answer any follow-up questions about his decision.
However, some prominent members of the media attacked Provorov.
“But Provorov obviously doesn’t respect ‘everyone,'” TSN’s Pierre LeBrun tweeted, referring to the defender’s statement. “If he respected everyone, he would have participated in the warm-up and put on the Pride Night shirt.” Don’t hide behind religion.
For its part, the NHL issued a statement saying that players are free to refrain from participating if they wish.
“Hockey is for Everyone is the umbrella initiative under which the League encourages clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets and to work towards more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the statement read. the league. ‘
The Flyers would defeat the visiting Anaheim Ducks, 5-2, on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
The clubs decide who to celebrate, when and how, with the advice and support of the League. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”
SB Nation’s NHL editor Steph Driver noted that the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers, was the first to threaten fans with ejection for using homophobic slurs.
“Ivan Provorov was allowed to play in a game for the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization that first said they would kick him out of the arena if he uttered a homophobic slur, after refusing to wear a Pride logo to warm up.” The driver tweeted. What an absolute shame.
But many fans lined up to support Provorov.
“I love her courage and her right to stand up for her beliefs,” one supporter tweeted. ‘I can’t wait for the day when this is the popular choice compared to the current belief that you have to agree with the beliefs of others. He said it well, he respects everyone, but he believes differently.
Flyers players James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton have been staunch supporters of the community and launched a program in support of local LGBTQ+ youth in the greater Philadelphia area.
Laughton and van Riemsdyk met with about 50 people from the LGBTQ+ community after the game. Laughton said that overall the Flyers had a “great, great night that raises a lot of awareness.”
Laughton said there will be further talks with Provorov, who moved to the United States from Russia as a teenager. He signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract before the 2019 season and won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers’ outstanding defenseman in his rookie season, the youngest player from Philadelphia to receive the honor.
“I have nothing against anybody,” Laughton said. It’s nothing like that. It was an amazing night and I’m so happy to have gotten a win on a night like this.”
All-Star forward Kevin Hayes, who notched a hat-trick in the win over Anaheim, said “it’s not for me to answer” when asked how he felt about Provorov’s decision.