Jets Players, Coach Preach Inclusion Ahead of Pride Night

There are certainly many words and phrases that you can - and probably have - used to describe the members of the Winnipeg Jets at some point over the course of this up-and-down 2022-23 season, But a new front-runner should be that of 'inclusive'. On Tuesday afternoon, head coach Rick Bowness and three of his playoffs took time to speak with the media following the announcement that Wednesday's game against the visiting Calgary Flames would be the team's annual Pride Night celebration. And not only will it be Pride Night, but the team also announced that all players will participate - something that seems easier said than done across the league, as of late. "It's very important, and I'm glad to hear that," Bowness said of his players coming together in support of Pride Night. "Listen, we all love the game. It's the greatest sport there is, and the more inclusive we can make it for everyone, get more kids playing, more people playing, more fans watching – the more inclusive we can make it, the better off. It's a great opportunity to grow the game. Keep growing our game. That's the most important thing." Although turning their attention to the game at hand through the second half of their respective availabilities, all three players did converse on the importance of banding together as a team to support the annual initiative and the larger LGBTQ2SIA+ community. “We arrived at that decision as a team," said forward Adam Lowry. "It’s important. We want to make sure our rink, our facility is a welcoming place. Everyone can feel included.” "Diversity and inclusion are certainly important," he continued. "You want everyone, whether they are playing the game of hockey or a fan of the game of hockey, to feel comfortable being who they are, what they believe in, their sexual orientation. I think visibility matters. We’ve come to the decision we’re going to wear it. I think that’s a positive.” For defenceman Dylan DeMelo, who does have some friends within the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, the significance of the event is not only for the hockey players and the hockey community, but the bigger geographical region of Winnipeg and all Jets fans alike. “Well, to be honest, my friends (from the LGBTQ2SIA+ community) aren’t really the biggest hockey fans," he laughed. "They’re just kind of more fans of me, so I’m not sure if it’s really on their radar too, too much, to be honest with you. I think I have a great relationship with my friends that are in the community and they look at me as Dylan DeMelo, not the hockey player, so I think that’s the most important thing.” "I know the struggles they’ve been through and to make it inclusive for everybody it’s very important for me, so I’m really happy that we’re doing it. We’re a top-class organization here and I think the fans are going to enjoy it, everybody’s going to have a good night tomorrow.” Defenceman Josh Morrissey served a key role in making the event happen, earlier speaking of lining up the team meeting to discuss options once other teams/players across the league began bowing out of the Pride Night sweepstakes.

 “It was discussed within the organization and we’re in favour of wearing the jerseys and going forward with Pride Night. It’s something that we had these discussions and talked about it three or four weeks ago and we’re on board to celebrate tomorrow night," he said.

"I truly believe hockey is for everybody and everybody should feel comfortable coming to the rink, as a spectator, player, fan, anything like that. It’s bigger than anything small and I just feel strongly about supporting it and believing that everyone should be supported in what they do.”

The Jets will face the Flames at 6:30 PM central time from Canada Life Centre in what will be a critical game in terms of playoff position. With just two points separating the two Canadian rivals, the atmosphere will certainly be that of a postseason game. The only difference will be the whiteout conditions commonly seen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs usually don't actually involve a blizzard of snow.