The NHLPA has announced that the players from the NHL have decided they will not play Games from Thursday or Friday as scheduled and those four games will start from Saturday. The NHLPA said, “After much discussion, NHL players believe the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight’s and tomorrow’s games as planned.”
The NHL says they fully support the players’ decision.
The announcement reads:
“Black and brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences. The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion focused on diversity, inclusion and social justice. We understand that the tragedies that “Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others demand that we recognize this moment.”
The league also said it aims to create a more accepting world for its fans and players.
“We are committed to working to use our sport to impact positive change in society. The NHLPA and NHL are committed to working to promote more inclusive and hospitable environments within our arenas, offices and beyond,” he said. statement by.
The decision comes after playing scheduled Stanley Cup Playoff games on Wednesday night, while every other major sports league in the United States had postponed some or all of its games in protest in the wake of recent police brutality incidents .
The influences on the games are Game 3 between the Flyers and Islanders, Game 3 between the Golden Knights and Canucks, Game 4 between the Lightning and Bruins and Game 4 between the Avalanche and Stars.
Earlier on Thursday, the Hockey Diversity Alliance formally requested that the league suspend all playoff games. San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane tweeted that the group feels it would “send a clear message that human rights take priority over sports.”
According to EmPN Kaplan of ESPN, the league did not expect to cancel games unless the players took a strong position, which they did through an interview with the Hockey Diversity Alliance. The HDA’s executive committee consists of Minnesota Wild defender Matt Dumba, Detroit Red Wings defender Trevor Daley, Buffalo Sabers forward Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris Stewart, with retired forward Joel Ward, and Kane. The group’s goal is to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.
Following the NHL’s decision to play Wednesday’s game, Dumba spoke out and said he was disappointed in the league’s efforts.
“The NHL is always too late for the game, especially on these topics, so it’s a bit sad and discouraging for me and other members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and I’m sure other guys are over the league,” Dumba said in interview with Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 on Wednesday.
“But when no one gets up and does something, it’s the same thing – it’s just that silence that you’re just looking outside to be leaders and call for real change when you have such an opportunity to do so.”
The NHL opted to schedule its scheduled games on Wednesday hours after NBA players chose to sit out their games. In total, the NBA, MLS, MLB and WNBA canceled all or all of the games as a result of the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
