Events

With pride towels waving, Bruins to celebrate that ‘hockey is for everyone’

Led locally by Brad Marchand, the NHL's diversity and inclusion initiative takes the ice at TD Garden.

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) picks up a hat from the ice after scoring his third goal of the game during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press

By Dave D'Onofrio

1 minute to read

With the development of its Diversity Task Force and the appointment of Willie O’Ree as an ambassador for social change, the NHL has since the late 1990s celebrated cultural diversity across the game during the month of February. This year, led by Brad Marchand, the Bruins are spearheading that effort on the first day of the month.

The B’s will host “Hockey is for Everyone Night” during their Feb. 1 game against the Seattle Kraken, distributing pride rally towels to fans in support of a mission to use hockey “to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities,” per the team’s website.

The night professes the league’s support for hockey players, coaches, and fans from any and all backgrounds, hoping to spur more inclusive communities within the game, and is partnered in that mission with the You Can Play project. Marchand is the Bruins’ ambassador to You Can Play, which was created by NHL executive Patrick Burke, and has set its mission “to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans.”