Coyotes' Travis Dermott Uses Pride Tape on Stick During Game vs. Ducks

Travis Dermott didn't let the NHL's new rule banning players from using Pride Tape on their hockey sticks stop him from showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Arizona Coyotes defenseman wore the rainbow-colored stick tape during his team's game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.

As Wyshynski noted, the league announced in June that teams and players could no longer don "specialty" jerseys during warmups, practices or games. It also clarified before the start of the 2023-24 campaign that the rule meant players couldn't wear gear in warmups, games or official team practices in honor of theme nights, which was a clarification that included the use of Pride Tape on sticks.

It was a decision that led to plenty of pushback, including from players around the league.

Wyshynski pointed out the NHL's decision came after multiple players cited religious and personal objections while refusing to wear Pride Night jerseys last season.

Ian Mendes of The Athletic reported the NHL said it will "review it in due course" when asked if Dermott will be punished or fined for defying the new rule. Mendes also noted it isn't clear what punishment exists for players who do defy the ban.

The Coyotes told Wyshynski they have not heard from the league regarding a potential punishment.

Dermott has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks in his career, and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is nothing new for him:

According to Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News, his decision to use Pride Tape on his stick "is only the beginning of a group of NHL players using the symbol to show support."

As for the game, Arizona earned a 2-1 victory over the Ducks behind goals from Clayton Keller and Jason Zucker.

Dermott tallied four blocked shots in 17 minutes and 29 seconds on the ice as the Coyotes improved to 3-2 on the season ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings.