Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov declines to wear Pride Night jersey in warmups, citing religious beliefs

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov did not skate in pre-game warmups against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night because he declined to wear the team issued Pride Night jersey designed to celebrate the LGTBQ+ community, sources told Daily Faceoff.

Provorov was the only Flyers player to not participate in warmups. He did play in the 5-2 win and led the team in ice time playing 22:45.

Provorov cited his personal beliefs, rooted in the Russian Orthodox religion, in his decision.

“I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov told reporters after the game. He declined to take further questions, asking reporters to focus on hockey, and the Flyers’ media staff reportedly ended his media availability shortly thereafter.

When asked for comment, the Flyers provided the following statement to Daily Faceoff:

“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Many of our players are active in their support of 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,” a team spokesman said.

Flyers coach John Tortorella said after the game that the team did not give any consideration to making Provorov a scratch based on his decision to sit out warmups.

“No,” Tortorella told reporters. “We talked as a team and with ‘Provy’.”

Tortorella said that he “respected” Provorov, who cited his religious beliefs. Provorov, 26, is a native of Yaroslavl, Russia. He arrived in the U.S. as a teenager and played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in Northeastern Pennsylvania before starring for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. That’s where he landed on the Flyers’ radar, who selected him No. 7 overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.

NHL teams frequently wear special celebratory jerseys for special causes in warmups throughout the season, such as Hockey Fights Cancer Night or Armed Forces Night or celebrations for indigenous communities. On Tuesday, the Flyers’ warmup jerseys had rainbow-colored numbers.

It’s exceedingly rare for a player to sit out warmups and then play in the game. Provorov has not missed a game in his 495-game NHL career.

“I think the organization has sent out a release – the belief we have and how we feel about it,” Tortorella told reporters. “Really, a great night. With ‘Provy,’ he’s being true to himself and his religion. This has to do with his belief and his religion.

“That’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself.”

Tortorella declined to comment further, saying “because I think it’s unfair. I’m not going to spend a lot of time on it. I think it was a great night in celebrating. The organization has put out a statement and I’m not going to get too deep into the conversation.”

In their annual Pride Night celebration at Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers’ other 19 players wore Pride-themed jerseys for warmups and wrapped their sticks in rainbow Pride tape. The team hosted a pre-game skate for local LGTBQ+ youth and provided tickets for nine different local LGTBQ+ organizations. Flyers players Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk have been active in the LGTBQ+ community by launching a program in support of local LGTBQ+ youth last season and both players met with guests after Tuesday night’s game.

The NHL did not immediately respond to a request on Tuesday night for comment on Provorov, or whether he may be subject to potential discipline for his stance. The NHL’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” has been closely aligned with many LGTBQ+ initiatives and has been a staunch supporter of the You Can Play project since the beginning.

Provorov’s stance, and the Flyers’ response to dress him in the lineup anyway, was rebuked from stakeholders around the hockey world.

Let me get this straight, you have a player that OPENLY declines to participate in an inclusive initiative for a community I am proud to be a part of. And you still dress him in the game? Be better @NHLFlyers https://t.co/rSyV6D35Oo

— Erin Ambrose (@ambrose_13) January 18, 2023