NHL teams are receiving criticism for discontinuing their pride nights, and the reason behind their decision has been revealed, and it is quite shocking. According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, the NHL teams are removing pride jerseys to protect their Russian players from the consequences they might face back home. Russian players who participate in pride events will reportedly receive arrest warrants in their home country, which would adversely impact their lives after the NHL. Russo and Smith report that several teams with high-profile Russian players have cancelled their pride-themed night jerseys after Russia updated its anti-gay laws in December. The updated law makes it illegal to spread propaganda about nontraditional sexual relations in all media, including social media, advertising, and movies. Ben Noble, an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London, warns that Russian players are at risk should they wear pride-themed warm-up jerseys. Noble says that <q>if you put on a Pride jersey, then there is uncertainty regarding how this would be interpreted by law enforcement in Russia - and that's a risk. The authorities have the power to enforce this and other legislation selectively. It's up to them to decide whom they go after.</q> It is worth noting that several NHL teams have cancelled their pride nights, particularly those with high-profile Russian players, such as the Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, and Rangers. For instance, the Minnesota Wild relies heavily on their franchise player, Kirill Kaprizov, who hails from Russia. Similarly, the New York Islanders have goaltender Ilya Samsonov, while the Rangers boast a cast of Russian players including Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, and Vladimir Tarasenko. While this level of clarity is intriguing, it is also disheartening to see a government impede progress on a worthy cause. The government's move highlights the challenges that LGBTQ+ people still face in some parts of the world, and the need for continued efforts to promote inclusivity and acceptance. Credit: <a href='https://www.dailyhockeydose.com/nhl-team/minnesota-wild/The-Chilling-Reason-NHL-Teams-are-Cancelling-Pride-Jerseys-Has-Been-Revealed' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Dailyhockeydose</a>