NHL prospect Luke Prokop publicly announces he’s gay

By Sporstnet, Hana Mae Nassar and Charlie Carey

Luke Prokop, a third-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2020 draft, made history Monday, announcing on social media, “I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay.”

He is the first player under NHL contract to publicly come out as gay.

“While the past year and a half has been crazy, it has also given me the chance to find my true self. I am no longer scared to hide who I am,” the 19-year-old defenceman from Edmonton wrote.

“It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I could not be happier with my decision to come out. From a young age I have dreamed of being an NHL player, and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams,” he continued.

 

Speaking to Sportsnet 650, Prokop said when he spoke to his friends and family about coming out, he always said his reasons for playing hockey were bigger than the possible accolades.

“I always told them that having a career with three Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy, and all these records is amazing and something I’m hopeful in wanting to do, but I would rather play one game or two games in the NHL and create a lasting difference or a lasting change, and have some sort of impact on the game that goes beyond the ice,” Prokop said. “So that’s … one of the main reasons in why I want to come out in hockey.”

The support he’s received from Nashville was something he’d never felt before.

“They drafted me as a hockey player. And to know that they still believe in me, even though there’s some people in the world that don’t accept this or think it’s a choice. It was an amazing feeling,” he said.

Prokop thinks his first game back after coming out might be his best yet.

“It will be emotional for sure. It’ll be my first game being openly public about my sexuality and me being gay,” he said. “I’m gonna say [it] probably might be my best game of my career. Just because I’m gonna feel so free and so strong, and feel like I can take on the world.”

Prokop’s announcement has received overwhelming support online, with many applauding his courage.

“Ecstatic that @lukeprokop_6 can live his truth and chase his dream,” one tweet reads, adding this is “Proof change can happen.”

“Things like this take courage, kudos to you @lukeprokop_6 and may this inspire others to be able to be themselves, and be met with love and acceptance too. All the best to you on your road to the NHL,” another post says.

Others are praising Prokop for paving the way for others.

“Congratulations on blasting the door wide open. It was about time someone did it and I hope you inspire a whole generation of athletes to embrace openly their own identities without fear. Hope your training and development excels, Luke,” one tweet reads.

The Nashville Predators have also shown Prokop their support.

“The Nashville Predators organization is proud of Luke for the courage he is displaying in coming out today and we will support him unequivocally in the days, weeks, and years to come as he continues to develop as a prospect,” said Sean Henry, Predators president and CEO.

“A long-stated goal in our organization in equality for all, including the LGBTQ community, and it is important that Luke feels comfortable and part of an inclusive environment as he moves forward in his career.”

In a statement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also praised Prokop for “sharing his truth and for being so brave.”

Prokop had six points in 15 games with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign. He has collected 41 points in 150 WHL games across four seasons.

No NHL team had previously drafted a player who, during their tenure with the club, came out as part of the LGBTQ community. There are only a handful of examples sprinkled throughout the history of the highest levels of the men’s game.

Early last year, Zach Sullivan, then a member of the Manchester Storm in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League, became the first active professional hockey player to come out as bisexual.

Then in the fall of 2020, QMJHL prospect Yanic Duplessis, who was drafted by the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 2019, came out as gay.

On the women’s side of the game, a number of stars have come out, including Angela James, Jayna Hefford, Meghan Duggan — who joined the New Jersey Devils as a manager of player development in May, becoming the first openly gay person to work in hockey operations in the NHL — Caroline Ouellette and Brianne Jenner.

LGBTQ athletes are also a rarity among other major men’s sports in North America.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib made headlines last month by becoming the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

He is the lone active player in any of the “Big Four” sports leagues to publicly reveal he is gay.

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