PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religion as a reason he did not participate in pregame warm-ups when the team wore Pride jerseys and sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape used.
Provorov, 26, boycotted the pregame skate with his teammates before Tuesday night’s game against Anaheim as the Flyers celebrated their annual Pride night in celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community. He played nearly 23 minutes in Philadelphia’s 5-2 win.
“I respect everyone’s decisions,” Provorov said after the game. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Provorov declined to answer follow-up questions about his decision.
Flyers coach John Tortorella said Provorov was “true to himself and to his religion.”
“That’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella said.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, leader of Russia’s dominant religious group, sent a strong signal to justify his country’s invasion of Ukraine last March – describing the conflict as part of a fight against sin and pressure from liberal foreigners, Holding “gay parades” as a reward for joining their ranks.
The jerseys and sticks were to be auctioned off by the Flyers after the game, with proceeds going to the team’s charity and efforts to promote the game of hockey in various communities.
The Flyers also hosted a pregame skate for local LGBTQ+ youth. Flyers players James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton are staunch supporters of the community and have created a program to support local LGBTQ+ youth in the Philadelphia area.
Laughton and van Riemsdyk met with around 50 people from the LGBTQ+ community after the game. Laughton said that overall the Flyers had a “great, great night that gets a lot of attention”.
Laughton said further talks would be forthcoming with Provorov, who moved to the United States from Russia as a teenager. He signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract ahead of the 2019 season and won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers’ outstanding defenseman in his rookie season, becoming the youngest Philadelphia player to receive the honor.
“I don’t blame anyone,” Laughton said. “It’s not like that. It was a great night and I’m really happy that we won on a night like this.”
All-Star forward Kevin Hayes, who had a hat-trick in the Anaheim win, said “it’s not my place to answer that” when asked how he felt about Provorov’s decision.
The Wells Fargo Center was decked out in rainbow colors Tuesday night representing the LGBTQ+ community through special rainbow-themed arena LEDs, decorations and team merchandise.
“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusion and proud to support the LGBTQ+ community,” the team said in a statement after the game. “Many of our players actively support local LGBTQ+ organizations and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The NHL is also committed to the You Can Play Project, which aims to ensure equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation. The NHL has never had an openly gay active player.
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