NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Greg Wyshynski, ESPNNov 24, 2023, 03:46 PM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury wore a custom Native American Heritage night mask in warmups on Friday night despite the NHL having forbidden him from doing so because it violated league policy on players wearing specialty equipment on theme nights.
Fleury wanted to honor his wife, Véronique, who is Native Canadian, by wearing a specially designed mask by artist Cole Redhorse Taylor.
His agent Allan Walsh said Fleury was informed he wasn’t permitted to wear the mask in the game or in warmups against the visiting Colorado Avalanche because it violated a new NHL policy this season. Walsh said Fleury offered to pay whatever fine the league would levy, but that NHL then threatened the Wild organization with an “additional significant fine” if he did.
A source told ESPN that there isn’t any punishment expected for Fleury or the Wild from the NHL for the goalie having worn the Native American Heritage night mask. The Avalanche won 3-2 and Fleury did not appear in the game.
La Fleur but make it 🌸 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 🌸
Thanks to our friends at @PrairieIsland_ for designing this one-of-a-kind mask for Flower on our Native American Heritage Night. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/0Tlt11BSok
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 24, 2023
The NHL announced in June that teams were no longer allowed to wear “specialty” jerseys during warmups, practices or games that supported causes like Pride, military appreciation or ethnic heritage nights. The league further clarified that on-ice player uniforms and gear worn in warmups, official team practices and games could not be altered to reflect “specialty” theme nights.
The theme night equipment ban was approved by the NHL board of governors with no objection from the NHLPA. It was enacted after several players refused to take part in warmups last season when their teams wore Pride Night jerseys, citing personal or religious…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38970420/nhl-nixes-marc-andre-fleury-mask-honoring-native-americans
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2023-11-25 05:20:24
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
