Duclair Will Use Rainbow Tape for Sharks’ Pride Game

It’s the San Jose Sharks’ Pride Game tomorrow afternoon, and Anthony Duclair says he’ll use Pride tape during warm-ups.

Today after @SanJoseSharks practice, Anthony Duclair confirms he will be using Pride Tape during warmups at tomorrow’s Pride Game. 🏳️‍🌈 #SJSharks

— Tara Slone (@TaraSlone) January 26, 2024

Kyle Burroughs and Fabian Zetterlund said if the tape is there for them to use, they would use it too.

“If it’s available for us and the option’s there, I’m definitely going to take it, show support and show that you’re an ally towards the community,” Burroughs said. “Represent people, family, friends, and other parts of the hockey community that can be represented in this moment, that day. It’s obviously a night for them.”

The San Jose Sharks confirmed that there will be rainbow tape for the players to use, if they so choose, during warm-ups tomorrow.

Of course, compared to last year, Pride Night will be very understated.

Likely in response to the media-fueled brouhaha around players, such as the San Jose Sharks’ James Reimer, who declined to wear Pride jerseys during warm-ups, the NHL ended the practice of players wearing specialty warm-up jerseys for any theme night, from Pride Night to Military Appreciation Night to Black History Night.

Duclair was among those who found that reaction to be extreme.

Duclair Finds NHL Specialty Night Bans ‘Puzzling’

But regardless, that’s where the NHL is this season. And maybe, speaking for myself, the media didn’t spend enough time highlighting the overwhelming majority who did wear Pride jerseys last year.

Such as Burroughs, who donned a Pride jersey for the Vancouver Canucks last season.

“It’s nice to be celebrating the night, Pride Night, instead of looking on others that are obviously not participating,” he said today. “Anytime in life you can look at the positives and celebrate those, it’s obviously a bit more meaningful than the latter of it, if you’re focusing on the negatives.”