Will Travis Dermott's actions help reverse unpopular NHL ban?

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Will Coyotes D Travis Dermott's actions help reverse unpopular NHL ban?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/23/23

What Travis Dermott did this weekend took guts. Now, many want to know if that act of courage has forced the NHL's hand.

The Arizona Coyotes defenseman sported Pride tape on his stick ahead of Saturday's home opener against the Anaheim Ducks, becoming to first player to rock the rainbow since the league banned it earlier this month. While the NHL initially told The Athletic it would "review" Dermott's actions, there has been nothing but crickets thus far from a league that is usually swift in handing out punishment.

Is Dermott's decision to defy the rules pressuring the NHL to reverse course and eliminate the very new but widely unpopular ban?

NEWS: Been told the @ArizonaCoyotes have not been informed of any NHL punishment to Travis Dermott or the team for his using Pride Tape on his stick last night.

Was told earlier by the NHL not to anticipate anything from Hockey Operations on the matter today.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 22, 2023

It isn't entirely clear yet what caused NHL higher-ups to place a ban on Pride tape altogether. Sure, there was negativity last season from players choosing to not wear Pride Night gear and citing their religious beliefs, but nobody expected Pride tape or jerseys or the like to be banned, especially by a league that has made a point over the last several years of being incredibly inclusive.

Whatever the reason, the league's decision to ban Pride tape has received massive backlash from fans and players alike — and boy, does that decision go against the Hockey Is for Everyone campaign.

There were reports of high-profile players saying they purchased Pride tape on their own and planned on using it. Dermott, a blue-liner on a one-year, two-way contract with a team not projected to make the playoffs, beat everyone to the punch and has made a big impact.

Travis Dermott is on a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes.

He is not a player who has leverage in the NHL.

Within a sports culture and league that overtly discourages using the NHL’s platform to take a principled stand, this defiance took courage. https://t.co/ovr7BWx9vF
— Dan Robson (@RobsonDan) October 22, 2023

Now, the NHL could still disappoint the hockey world this week and decide to punish Dermott in some way, but at least for now, it's looking like he might have been the hero needed to get the league to reverse its unnecessary and unpopular ban on Pride tape. Stay tuned.

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