The day Luke Prokop shook the hockey world by coming out, he required to escape.
And stop taking a look at his continuously buzzing phone.
It was July 21, 2021, and the right-shot defenseman had simply end up being the very first honestly gay hockey gamer under an NHL agreement. The Nashville Predators’ No. 73 choice in the 2020 draft was simply 19 years of ages and had not even turned professional yet. He didn’t understand how it would affect his future. His nerves were fried.
However one text was difficult to overlook. He didn’t acknowledge the number however definitely understood the name.
” Hey, it’s Auston Matthews I wished to praise you. I eagerly anticipate sharing the ice with you sooner or later.”
Prokop was blown away. The Toronto Maple Leafs super star wasn’t the most celebrity to connect– that honor goes to Elton John– however the truth that numerous NHLers, consisting of among the league’s finest and most effective gamers, were using assistance implied a lot.
Now 21, Prokop still hasn’t taken the NHL ice, however on Wednesday he took an advance, being remembered by the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He might end up being the very first honestly gay gamer to appear in an AHL video game Friday night for the Admirals in Rockford.
As challenging as the choice to come out was, Prokop informed The Athletic in a prolonged discussion just recently that he’s been psychologically and physically released by it. He does not need to conceal. He can be himself, on and off the ice. Heck, he can even date.
” It’s been huge,” he stated.
Colleagues and fans have actually invited him in his journey towards the NHL up until now, from Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle of the junior WHL to, most just recently, Atlanta of the ECHL. They treated him like he was any other gamer.
Not that there’s not space to grow. Prokop figured more gamers would come out after he did. They have not, not that he would hurry anybody’s choice on that. He’s likewise been dissatisfied by the advancements over the previous couple of years with the NHL’s addition efforts, consisting of the Pride tape “ordeal.”
He can just manage his own actions, however, and does not regret his choice.
” I want to believe I’m a practical individual,” Prokop stated. “I understand hockey is not going to be permanently. As much as (when I came out) I would have enjoyed to keep playing, I was okay with not playing anymore if it didn’t exercise– simply having the ability to live my life the method I desired, to be myself.
” And now, I do not wish to stop playing. It was certainly stressful. You never ever understand what the response is going to be within hockey, outside hockey, due to the fact that nobody has actually done it in the past. We sort of went out on a limb and expected the very best. It’s been way more favorable than we believed it ‘d be. You’re going to have some keyboard warriors, which there were a couple of, however I was anticipating more.
” I did not anticipate the quantity of assistance I received from NHL gamers. That was truly cool.”
The Matthews text and Elton John telephone call the early morning after were unforgettable, with the gay rock legend inviting him to the neighborhood and using his e-mail address if Prokop ever required anything.
Prokop discovered a lot more convenience in a minute that came a couple of days later on– the very first time he played hockey given that his statement. It was a four-on-four league in Edmonton at Meadows Rec Center, a location where pros and NHLers completed and kept in shape throughout the offseason.
Prokop was on a group with Colton and Kirby Dach The other group had Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk Throughout warmups, Prokop discovered himself near mid-ice. The very first guy to approach him was DeBrusk. The 2 had actually fulfilled formerly through shared buddies. DeBrusk tapped Prokop’s shin pads with his stick.
” Congrats,” he informed him. “I’m truly delighted for you. If you require anything, let me understand.”
” I didn’t understand what the response would be,” Prokop stated. “So that implied a lot.”
Prokop was returning that year to the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), the junior group he had actually bet the previous 4 seasons. However there had actually been a great deal of turnover on the lineup and, obviously, a lot had actually altered for Prokop. So he chose to resolve the group in its very first conference in training school.
” Everybody understands what I did last summertime,” he informed his group. “I do not desire you to feel unpleasant. There may be a great deal of media asking you for an interview. If you do not feel comfy, you do not need to do them. If you have any concerns for me, come ask me. I’m an open book. I simply do not desire you guys to feel unpleasant.”
Because dressing space, Prokop had actually heard lots of the unpleasant language that’s not unusual for any locker space. He even confessed utilizing it. He didn’t wish to out himself. He wished to act directly, be “among the guys.”
” I heard it, however it wasn’t all the time,” he stated. “I likewise took it from the point of view that these guys do not understand any much better. It’s hockey language. It’s how guys talk. They do not suggest it in a damaging method. They utilize the word ‘gay’ as a filler at the end of a sentence to make something silly. ‘Well, that’s so gay.’ I wasn’t comfy with it, however I utilized it myself. I didn’t wish to appear like I ran out the mix.
” Some guys texted me (after I came out), ‘F–, sorry if I stated anything to upset you when we played.’ I ‘d simply state, ‘Guys, you had no concept.’ The lesson is you do not understand what everybody is going through. The words you state do matter. Ensure you believe before you speak. It’s a ridiculous guideline you find out in kindergarten. It uses to life when you’re 22 or 35 and never ever disappears.
” The method hockey is choosing the language, guys are naturally altering their language. I have actually heard a modification in language on every group I have actually been on.”
Prokop stated that season was the very best of his profession, both from a production perspective and an individual one. He was traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings early in the season and had 10 objectives and 33 points in 55 video games for them, assisting them win the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup.
Luke Prokop won the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Oil Kings in 2022. ( Thanks To Oilers Home Entertainment Group)
Luke Pierce, then an assistant coach for Edmonton and now the head coach, stated the personnel and management had conversations with the management group before getting Prokop– ensuring they were comfy with it, feeling out whether their space might manage the attention. Pierce stated he asked among the captains, Blues possibility Jake Neighbours, for his point of view. Neighbours had actually understood Prokop given that they were 10 or 11, maturing playing in spring competitions together. He informed Pierce and the personnel there would be “absolutely no concern” and he ‘d be an excellent addition.
Neighbours stated absolutely nothing truly altered, that Prokop “fit right in” to the group. Pierce initially questioned if gamers would have any concern with rooming projects on the roadway, however no one blinked. Pierce kept in mind that Prokop would joke about circumstances and even opened about his partner pertaining to go to.
” He put everyone at ease,” Pierce stated. “I frequently inform individuals, if the outdoors world might see how the group of males connected, it would be simply a significant motivation on how we ought to deal with everyone.”
Pierce and Prokop explained how this generation is more comfy and geared up to manage LGBTQ+ addition concerns. Everybody appears to understand somebody, be buddies with somebody, or be associated with somebody in the neighborhood.
” I simply do not believe guys truly care any longer,” Prokop stated. “They may be anxious as they have this stereotype variation of what a gay guy may appear like, seem like, imitate. Like me, pertaining to a group, they believe I’ll act a particular method, look a particular method, however they’ll recognize 3 minutes into speaking to me that I’m not that.
” Hockey belongs to me. It’s who I am. Guys absolutely forget (about me being gay) when I’m at the rink. They’re not scared to ask concerns. However besides that, it never ever truly shows up. That’s how I desired it to be. I desired them to understand, however we can all head out and play. I never ever wished to be an interruption.”
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The NHL’s choices around Pride jerseys and stick tape weren’t an interruption, Prokop stated, however he has actually gotten annoyed about it.
He comprehended the concern over using sweatshirts throughout warmups– “jerseys weren’t truly their option”– however regreted that the truth the focus was on the handful of gamers who declined to use them and not all the others who did. The NHL’s preliminary prohibiting of Pride stick tape, then its turnaround, was an entire other subject.
” To remove options from gamers was truly complicated,” Prokop stated. “A few of them do not truly care. For some, it was near and dear to their heart. To take it away was mind-blowing. From the gamers’ side, the assistance existed. Zach Hyman spoke about it, Travis Dermott I like what they did. They didn’t make a huge offer about it in the past– they simply did it. Let fans see the rest, and it’ll look after itself. There’s a huge quantity of assistance from gamers in the NHL.”
What do the Pride tape and sweatshirts suggest for somebody in the LGBTQ+ neighborhood?
Prokop didn’t remember observing them maturing going to Oilers video games. He never ever got to see somebody who was gay utilizing Pride tape on the television screen. He needed to handle it himself– “dive over those barriers with no aid.” However Prokop continued pursuing his hockey profession whereas “a great deal of individuals do not feel comfy pursuing their profession without that direct exposure, without seeming like they’re being seen.”
” I believe with the Pride tape things, they were attempting to reveal assistance for their older fans,” Prokop stated of the NHL. “The fans that have actually been viewing hockey for 40-50 years. That’s not how you grow the video game. You wish to get the more youthful generation, put these guys in the very best scenario to promote the video game. Often I do not believe the NHL does that the appropriate method. The Pride tape is one example.”
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Prokop has actually become part of 2 Pride nights given that he came out, one with the Edmonton Oil Kings and another with Seattle The Oil Kings personnel approached him after not having that occasion on their advertising calendar. They prepared it in 2 weeks and it was a success, with around 8,000 fans in presence.
” Some guys informed me it was the most impactful video game they had actually remained in throughout their profession,” Prokop stated. “They stated they didn’t recognize the number of Queer fans they had. I do not believe they recognize just how much my neighborhood views hockey, plays hockey and appreciates hockey.
The Seattle Pride night was fan-driven, that made it special. Thunderbirds fans saw that other competing groups had an unique night for Pride and made a push for their own, making bracelets and Tee shirts. Prokop informed colleagues they didn’t need to use the stick tape– he understands how superstitious hockey gamers are. They all used some, for him.
” I constantly take a look at the point of view, the opposite of Pride nights– why do you have them if nobody on the group is gay?” Prokop stated. “The point is that it’s for the fans. For me, it indicates a lot to play in them to reveal my neighborhood and be an agent on the ice.”
Luke Prokop states it “indicates a lot to play in (Pride nights) to reveal my neighborhood and be an agent on the ice.” (Thanks To Oilers Home Entertainment Group)
While education is very important, Prokop stated any genuine modification in the NHL when it concerns addition will begin with other gamers coming out. He’s not putting any timeline or pressure on that. He didn’t have one. However that’s when gamers in the league will see a various point of view, get more comfy with it.
” Otherwise, it’s constantly going to be a story,” Prokop stated. “I likewise can see why guys do not wish to come out. Specifically in the NHL. They’ve been really effective, so why modification? I sort of saw that from the point of view when the entire Pride jersey story came out. My phone was exploding. I do not believe guys wish to need to handle that. There was a duty for me to speak about these subjects. I do not believe guys wish to do that. I can see it from that side, why they do not wish to come out.
” I do not believe anything is going to alter unless somebody else does. Somebody else will step up. It’s just a matter of time. I believed there ‘d perhaps be 2, 3 people by now. However it hasn’t occurred. However I understand there’s going to be somebody else quickly. It’s mathematics. There’s what, 700 gamers in the league? There’s certainly a couple of more.”
While there have actually been some negative remarks originating from the stands on a couple of events, Prokop has actually been motivated there have actually been none from opposing gamers.
” No,” he stated.
The majority of the feedback he’s gotten, even on social networks, has actually been favorable. And it’s not simply the remarks like Matthews’ that stick to him. 2 high schoolers in Seattle, Kaitlin and Jo, connected to him over Instagram. They belong to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and were having a hard time.
” Like everybody, they simply desired somebody to talk with,” Prokop stated.
Part of Prokop’s pregame regimen is typically to hang by the bench and listen to music. On numerous events, Kaitlin and Jo would visit and the 3 of them would simply talk for 10, 12 minutes. They’re the fans that Prokop saw every video game above the tunnel on his method to the dressing space. They have actually remained in touch. Prokop even did a Zoom conference with their high school class last month. “They have an unique location in my heart,” he stated.
When, and if, Prokop makes his NHL launching, he states he’ll have an unique secret strategy for them.
Whether Prokop lives his NHL dream stays to be seen. He’s applauded the Predators for their assistance from the very first time he did a group video call with the personnel. Previous NHLer Mark Borowiecki, now an advancement coach, has actually been somebody Prokop has actually leaned on frequently, not just for on-ice recommendations however for aid making it through things psychologically.
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Scott Nichol, the Predators’ assistant GM, likes Prokop’s capacity.
” Huge right-shot defensemen that can skate, move the puck. They do not grow on trees,” he stated. “He simply requires to polish up his video game in some locations in the protective zone. He’s got the tools. He’s got the skating capability. It’s simply persistence and accept the procedure.”
Prokop is grateful for his support system, from his moms and dads, Al and Nicole, to his sibling, Josh, and sis, Alanna. He’s corresponded with Heather Lefebvre, who is an expert in hockey engagement and alumni relations with the Oilers Home Entertainment Group. They talk nearly every day. What stands out to Lefebvre is how young Prokop was when he came out (19 ), and while he uses this “pioneer” cap, he’s still standing alone.
” I believe this generation is more all set for it than previous generations, for sure,” Lefebvre stated. “It states a lot to me that no one else has actually come out in the year and a half given that he has. He’s the only honestly gay gamer under NHL agreement, however he’s not the only gay gamer under NHL agreement.
” That’s where I believe we have work to do. Is it fantastic that he’s been accepted and can do his thing? Yes. However he takes a look at the positives, that makes me truly delighted for him. However that does not suggest there’s no unfavorable.”
Prokop takes the positives in his off-ice life, too. He deals with Alanna in the offseason back home in Edmonton. He’s discovered colleagues to share in his pastimes, like golf (he plays 40 to 50 rounds a year). He enjoys to check out, from bios to sci-fi. He views basketball more than hockey and has more than 25 jerseys. He cooks. He entered into puzzles throughout the pandemic and is bullish about doing them on his own.
Prokop likewise feels comfy going out there on the dating scene and not needing to conceal it from colleagues.
” Certainly, the way of life of a hockey gamer is difficult for some individuals,” he stated. “I’m searching for the best individual to get in touch with. I’m a softie, a romantic guy. I like love. I’m constantly on the lookout for that best individual to invest the rest of my life with.”
Prokop does not see the label of being the very first honestly gay gamer under NHL agreement as a weight. It’s more of a duty. He has a platform and wishes to utilize it. He’s practical, “dreaming about winning the social work award more than the Norris Prize.”
Making the AHL dive or sooner or later the NHL dive will not specify him.
” Among my primary objectives when I came out is that if I might have an influence on someone beyond my friends and family in my life time, I have actually done my task,” he stated. “I believe I have actually done that and more. And I wish to continue to do that.”
( Leading picture thanks to Oilers Home entertainment Group)