The NHL says "Hockey is for Everyone," but bans Pride jerseys, marginalizes Indigenous voices through bans on Indigenous Jerseys, turns Military Appreciation into a photo-op, and also bans Military Appreciation Jerseys. We demand action, not optics.

Hockey is for everyone, at least, that's what the NHL says.

But recent actions tell a different story: the banning of Pride, Indigenous, and Military Jerseys, inconsistent support for Indigenous reconciliation and military service recognition, and the quiet erasure of communities the league claims to uplift.

The NHL has positioned itself as a leader in inclusion, celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride, recognizing First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities, and honouring Military personnel and veterans through themed nights and symbolic uniforms.

Yet when it mattered most, the NHL caved to controversy, abandoned its values, and made identity and belonging optional.

This is not leadership. This is harm.

We, the undersigned fans, players, veterans, Indigenous community members, Canadians, LGBTQ+ people, and allies, demand that the NHL move beyond symbolism and commit to real, measurable inclusion.

What's at Stake if the NHL doesn't change?

The consequences go far beyond jerseys. By refusing to back inclusive initiatives, the NHL sends a chilling message to queer youth, Indigenous communities, and veterans who have long been sidelined in sports: that their identities aren't welcome, their contributions aren't valued, and their safety doesn't matter. This drives fans away, isolates players, and reinforces a toxic culture where silence and bigotry go unchecked. Without change, the NHL risks becoming irrelevant to the next generation of players and fans, losing its moral standing and future. 

Why is now the time to act?

We are at a turning point. Across the sports world, fans and athletes are calling for action, not slogans. The NHL's recent backpedalling has awakened a louder, broader resistance, and this is our moment to rise. With Pride Month approaching, Indigenous Peoples Day on the calendar, and hockey culture under national scrutiny, the time to act is now. We can't afford to wait for the "right" moment, because every moment that passes without progress is another moment someone feels unwelcome in the game we love.

What happens if the NHL does change?

A truly inclusive NHL would send a powerful message to fans and the world. It would affirm that hockey welcomes everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, race, ability, age, culture, or service history. It would open doors for LGBTQ+ and Indigenous youth to dream of futures in the sport. It would show veterans that their sacrifices are respected beyond photo ops. It would also begin to repair trust with communities that have long been pushed to the sidelines. A more inclusive NHL isn't just the right thing to do; it's a stronger, more resilient, and more future-ready league.

We call on the NHL to take the following Actions:

1. Restore and Normalize Visibility Nights Across the League

Reinstate Pride, Indigenous Heritage, and Military Appreciation Jerseys, Tape, and celebrations not as optional displays but as official, consistent, and league-endorsed events that honour the identities and contributions of marginalized communities.

2. Mandatory Education & Anti-Bias Training

Require annual inclusivity, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and anti-discrimination training for all NHL players, coaches, executives, arena staff, and broadcasters. Understanding diversity should not be a choice but a condition of participation.

3. Enforce Meaningful Accountability

Strengthen league-wide anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies with clear consequences for violations on the ice, in the locker room, and behind the scenes.

4. Support and Center Community Voices

Actively include LGBTQ+, FNMI, and Veteran voices in shaping the NHL's policies and cultural initiatives. Work with grassroots organizations, elders, veterans' groups, and advocates, not for token appearances, but for real consultation and power-sharing.

5. Public Transparency and Measurable Progress

Commit to tracking and publishing progress on diversity and inclusion efforts. Fans and communities deserve more than vague promises. We deserve honesty, accountability, and measurable change.

We're not asking for special treatment. We're demanding equal respect.

You cannot claim to celebrate Indigenous culture while ignoring ongoing racism in hockey. You cannot honour military service while banning jerseys that recognize it. You cannot say "Hockey Is For Everyone" while excluding LGBTQ+ people.

If the NHL truly wants to lead, it must earn that role by standing firm in support of the communities it claims to uplift, not backing down when inclusion becomes inconvenient. 

Until then, we will organize, protest, and pressure teams, executives, and sponsors to do better.

Because representation without action is performative, and we are done settling for less.

Sign now. Join us in holding the NHL to its promised standard and the communities it continues to fail.