The day Luke Prokop shook the hockey world by popping out, he wanted to get away.
And cease taking a look at his continually buzzing cellphone.
It was July 21, 2021, and the right-shot defenseman had simply turn into the primary overtly homosexual hockey participant below an NHL contract. The Nashville Predators’ No. 73 choose within the 2020 draft was simply 19 years outdated and hadn’t even turned professional but. He didn’t know the way it will influence his future. His nerves have been fried.
However one textual content message was unattainable to disregard. He didn’t acknowledge the quantity however definitely knew the identify.
“Hey, it’s Auston Matthews. I wished to congratulate you. I look ahead to sharing the ice with you sometime.”
Prokop was blown away. The Toronto Maple Leafs famous person wasn’t essentially the most well-known particular person to succeed in out — that honor goes to Elton John — however the truth that so many NHLers, together with one of many league’s finest and strongest gamers, have been providing help meant loads.
Now 21, Prokop nonetheless hasn’t taken the NHL ice, however on Wednesday he took a step ahead, being recalled by the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He might turn into the primary overtly homosexual participant to look in an AHL sport Friday evening for the Admirals in Rockford.
As troublesome as the choice to come back out was, Prokop instructed The Athletic in an prolonged dialog just lately that he’s been mentally and bodily freed by it. He doesn’t have to cover. He might be himself, on and off the ice. Heck, he may even date.
“It’s been large,” he stated.
Teammates and followers have welcomed him in his journey towards the NHL to this point, from Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle of the junior WHL to, most just lately, Atlanta of the ECHL. They handled him like he was some other participant.
Not that there’s not room to develop. Prokop figured extra gamers would come out after he did. They haven’t, not that he would rush anybody’s resolution on that. He’s additionally been upset by the developments over the previous few years with the NHL’s inclusion efforts, together with the Delight tape “debacle.”
He can solely management his personal actions, although, and doesn’t remorse his resolution.
“I’d prefer to suppose I’m a practical particular person,” Prokop stated. “I do know hockey is just not going to be ceaselessly. As a lot as (after I got here out) I’d have cherished to maintain enjoying, I used to be OK with not enjoying any extra if it didn’t work out — simply having the ability to reside my life the way in which I wished, to be myself.
“However now, I don’t wish to cease enjoying. It was positively nerve-wracking. You by no means know what the response goes to be inside hockey, exterior hockey, as a result of nobody has accomplished it earlier than. We form of went out on a limb and hoped for the most effective. It’s been far more constructive than we thought it’d be. You’re going to have some keyboard warriors, which there have been a number of, however I used to be anticipating extra.
“I didn’t anticipate the quantity of help I obtained from NHL gamers. That was actually cool.”
The Matthews textual content and Elton John cellphone name the morning after have been memorable, with the homosexual rock legend welcoming him to the group and providing his e-mail handle if Prokop ever wanted something.
Prokop discovered much more consolation in a second that got here a number of days later — the primary time he performed hockey since his announcement. It was a four-on-four league in Edmonton at Meadows Rec Middle, a spot the place execs and NHLers competed and saved in form in the course of the offseason.
Prokop was on a crew with Colton and Kirby Dach. The opposite crew had Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk. Throughout warmups, Prokop discovered himself close to mid-ice. The primary man to method him was DeBrusk. The 2 had met beforehand via mutual pals. DeBrusk tapped Prokop’s shin pads along with his stick.
“Congrats,” he instructed him. “I’m actually completely satisfied for you. In the event you want something, let me know.”
“I didn’t know what the response could be,” Prokop stated. “In order that meant loads.”
Prokop was returning that yr to the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), the junior crew he had performed for the earlier 4 seasons. However there had been loads of turnover on the roster and, after all, loads had modified for Prokop. So he determined to deal with the crew in its first assembly in coaching camp.
“Everybody is aware of what I did final summer season,” he instructed his crew. “I don’t need you to really feel uncomfortable. There could be loads of media asking you for an interview. In the event you don’t really feel snug, you don’t need to do them. If in case you have any questions for me, come ask me. I’m an open e-book. I simply don’t need you guys to really feel uncomfortable.”
In that dressing room, Prokop had heard loads of the uncomfortable language that’s not unusual for any locker room. He even admitted utilizing it. He didn’t wish to out himself. He wished to behave straight, be “one of many guys.”
“I heard it, but it surely wasn’t on a regular basis,” he stated. “I additionally took it from the angle that these guys don’t know any higher. It’s hockey language. It’s how guys speak. They don’t imply it in a dangerous manner. They use the phrase ‘homosexual’ as a filler on the finish of a sentence to make one thing silly. ‘Effectively, that’s so homosexual.’ I wasn’t snug with it, however I used it myself. I didn’t wish to look like I used to be out of the combination.
“Some guys texted me (after I got here out), ‘F—, sorry if I stated something to offend you after we performed.’ I’d simply say, ‘Guys, you had no concept.’ The lesson is you don’t know what everybody goes via. The phrases you say do matter. Ensure you suppose earlier than you converse. It’s a foolish rule you be taught in kindergarten. It applies to life while you’re 22 or 35 and by no means goes away.
“The best way hockey goes with the language, guys are naturally altering their language. I’ve heard a change in language on each crew I’ve been on.”
Prokop stated that season was the most effective of his profession, each from a manufacturing standpoint and a private one. He was traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings early within the season and had 10 targets and 33 factors in 55 video games for them, serving to them win the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup.
Luke Prokop received the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Oil Kings in 2022. (Courtesy of Oilers Leisure Group)
Luke Pierce, then an assistant coach for Edmonton and now the pinnacle coach, stated the workers and administration had discussions with the management group earlier than buying Prokop — ensuring they have been snug with it, feeling out whether or not their room might deal with the eye. Pierce stated he requested one of many captains, Blues prospect Jake Neighbours, for his perspective. Neighbours had identified Prokop since they have been 10 or 11, rising up enjoying in spring tournaments collectively. He instructed Pierce and the workers there could be “zero problem” and he’d be an ideal addition.
Neighbours stated nothing actually modified, that Prokop “match proper in” to the crew. Pierce at first puzzled if gamers would have any problem with rooming assignments on the street, however no one blinked. Pierce famous that Prokop would joke about conditions and even opened up about his boyfriend coming to go to.
“He put all people comfy,” Pierce stated. “I typically inform individuals, if the surface world might see how the group of males interacted, it will be only a super inspiration on how we must always deal with all people.”
Pierce and Prokop identified how this era is extra snug and outfitted to deal with LGBTQ+ inclusion points. Everybody appears to know somebody, be pals with somebody, or be associated to somebody in the neighborhood.
“I simply don’t suppose guys actually care anymore,” Prokop stated. “They could be nervous as they’ve this stereotype model of what a homosexual man may appear like, sound like, act like. Like me, coming to a crew, they suppose I’ll act a sure manner, look a sure manner, however they’ll notice three minutes into speaking to me that I’m not that.
“Hockey is a part of me. It’s who I’m. Guys completely overlook (about me being homosexual) after I’m on the rink. They’re not afraid to ask questions. However aside from that, it by no means actually comes up. That’s how I wished it to be. I wished them to know, however we are able to all exit and play. I by no means wished to be a distraction.”
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The NHL’s selections round Delight jerseys and stick tape weren’t a distraction, Prokop stated, however he has gotten annoyed about it.
He understood the difficulty over carrying sweaters throughout warmups — “jerseys weren’t actually their selection” — however lamented that the very fact the main target was on the handful of gamers who refused to put on them and never all of the others who did. The NHL’s preliminary banning of Delight stick tape, then its reversal, was a complete different subject.
“To remove selections from gamers was actually complicated,” Prokop stated. “A few of them don’t actually care. For some, it was close to and expensive to their coronary heart. To take it away was mind-boggling. From the gamers’ aspect, the help was there. Zach Hyman talked about it, Travis Dermott. I like what they did. They didn’t make an enormous deal about it earlier than — they simply did it. Let followers see the remaining, and it’ll care for itself. There’s a large quantity of help from gamers within the NHL.”
What do the Delight tape and sweaters imply for somebody within the LGBTQ+ group?
Prokop didn’t recall noticing them rising up going to Oilers video games. He by no means obtained to see somebody who was homosexual utilizing Delight tape on the TV display. He needed to cope with it himself — “leap over these boundaries with none assist.” However Prokop continued pursuing his hockey profession whereas “lots of people don’t really feel snug pursuing their profession with out that publicity, with out feeling like they’re being seen.”
“I believe with the Delight tape stuff, they have been attempting to indicate help for his or her older followers,” Prokop stated of the NHL. “The followers which were watching hockey for 40-50 years. That’s not the way you develop the sport. You wish to get the youthful era, put these guys in the most effective scenario to advertise the sport. Generally I don’t suppose the NHL does that the proper manner. The Delight tape is one instance.”
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Prokop has been a part of two Delight nights since he got here out, one with the Edmonton Oil Kings and one other with Seattle. The Oil Kings workers approached him after not having that occasion on their promotional calendar. They deliberate it in two weeks and it was an enormous hit, with round 8,000 followers in attendance.
“Some guys instructed me it was essentially the most impactful sport they’d been in throughout their profession,” Prokop stated. “They stated they didn’t notice what number of Queer followers they’d. I don’t suppose they notice how a lot my group watches hockey, performs hockey and cares about hockey.
The Seattle Delight evening was fan-driven, which made it distinctive. Thunderbirds followers observed that different rival groups had a particular evening for Delight and made a push for their very own, making bracelets and T-shirts. Prokop instructed teammates they didn’t need to put on the stick tape — he is aware of how superstitious hockey gamers are. All of them wore some, for him.
“I at all times have a look at the angle, the opposite aspect of Delight nights — why do you’ve them if nobody on the crew is homosexual?” Prokop stated. “The purpose is that it’s for the followers. For me, it means loads to play in them to indicate my group and be a consultant on the ice.”
Luke Prokop says it “means loads to play in (Delight nights) to indicate my group and be a consultant on the ice.” (Courtesy of Oilers Leisure Group)
Whereas schooling is vital, Prokop stated any actual change within the NHL in terms of inclusion will begin with different gamers popping out. He’s not placing any timeline or strain on that. He didn’t have one. However that’s when gamers within the league will see a special perspective, get extra snug with it.
“In any other case, it’s at all times going to be a narrative,” Prokop stated. “I can also see why guys don’t wish to come out. Particularly within the NHL. They’ve been very profitable, so why change? I form of noticed that from the angle when the entire Delight jersey story got here out. My cellphone was blowing up. I don’t suppose guys wish to need to cope with that. There was a accountability for me to speak about these matters. I don’t suppose guys wish to try this. I can see it from that aspect, why they don’t wish to come out.
“I don’t suppose something goes to alter except another person does. Another person will step up. It’s solely a matter of time. I believed there’d possibly be two, three of us by now. But it surely hasn’t occurred. However I do know there’s going to be another person quickly. It’s math. There’s what, 700 gamers within the league? There’s positively a number of extra.”
Whereas there have been some derogatory feedback coming from the stands on a number of events, Prokop has been inspired there have been none from opposing gamers.
“Zero,” he stated.
A lot of the suggestions he’s acquired, even on social media, has been constructive. And it’s not simply the feedback like Matthews’ that keep on with him. Two excessive schoolers in Seattle, Kaitlin and Jo, reached out to him over Instagram. They’re a part of the LGBTQ+ group and have been struggling.
“Like everybody, they simply wished somebody to speak to,” Prokop stated.
A part of Prokop’s pregame routine is often to hold by the bench and hearken to music. On many events, Kaitlin and Jo would come by and the three of them would simply chat for 10, 12 minutes. They’re the followers that Prokop noticed each sport above the tunnel on his technique to the dressing room. They’ve stayed in contact. Prokop even did a Zoom assembly with their highschool class final month. “They’ve a particular place in my coronary heart,” he stated.
When, and if, Prokop makes his NHL debut, he says he’ll have a particular secret plan for them.
Whether or not Prokop lives his NHL dream stays to be seen. He’s praised the Predators for his or her help from the primary time he did a bunch video name with the workers. Former NHLer Mark Borowiecki, now a growth coach, has been somebody Prokop has leaned on typically, not just for on-ice recommendation however for assist getting via issues mentally.
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Scott Nichol, the Predators’ assistant GM, likes Prokop’s potential.
“Massive right-shot defensemen that may skate, transfer the puck. They don’t develop on timber,” he stated. “He simply wants to shine up his sport in some areas within the defensive zone. He’s obtained the instruments. He’s obtained the skating potential. It’s simply persistence and embrace the method.”
Prokop is grateful for his help group, from his mother and father, Al and Nicole, to his brother, Josh, and sister, Alanna. He’s saved in contact with Heather Lefebvre, who’s a specialist in hockey engagement and alumni relations with the Oilers Leisure Group. They speak nearly day-after-day. What stands out to Lefebvre is how younger Prokop was when he got here out (19), and whereas he wears this “trailblazer” cap, he’s nonetheless standing alone.
“I believe this era is extra prepared for it than previous generations, for positive,” Lefebvre stated. “It says loads to me that no one else has come out within the yr and a half since he has. He’s the one overtly homosexual participant below NHL contract, however he’s not the one homosexual participant below NHL contract.
“That’s the place I believe we’ve work to do. Is it nice that he’s been accepted and might do his factor? Sure. However he appears to be like on the positives, which makes me actually completely satisfied for him. However that doesn’t imply there’s no unfavorable.”
Prokop takes the positives in his off-ice life, too. He lives with Alanna within the offseason again house in Edmonton. He’s discovered teammates to share in his hobbies, like golf (he performs 40 to 50 rounds a yr). He likes to learn, from biographies to sci-fi. He watches basketball greater than hockey and has greater than 25 jerseys. He cooks. He obtained into puzzles in the course of the pandemic and is bullish about doing them on his personal.
Prokop additionally feels snug getting on the market on the relationship scene and never having to cover it from teammates.
“Clearly, the approach to life of a hockey participant is hard for some individuals,” he stated. “I’m looking for the best particular person to attach with. I’m a softie, a romantic man. I like love. I’m at all times looking out for that proper particular person to spend the remainder of my life with.”
Prokop doesn’t see the label of being the primary overtly homosexual participant below NHL contract as a weight. It’s extra of a accountability. He has a platform and desires to make use of it. He’s life like, “dreaming about successful the group service award greater than the Norris Trophy.”
Making the AHL leap or sometime the NHL leap received’t outline him.
“Considered one of my essential targets after I got here out is that if I might have an effect on one particular person exterior of my household and pals in my lifetime, I’ve accomplished my job,” he stated. “I believe I’ve accomplished that and extra. And I wish to proceed to try this.”
(High picture courtesy of Oilers Leisure Group)
