Flyers’ Ivan Provorov skips warmups in refusal to wear Pride jerseys

On a night the Flyers, led by Pride ambassadors Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk, designed to be about celebrating love and inclusion, the conversation turned instead to the one person who refused to wear the Pride-themed warmup jerseys.

Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov was the only Flyer on the game roster who did not participate in warmups ahead of their Pride Night game on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Justin Braun, a healthy scratch, wore his own Pride-themed warmup jersey and skated in Provorov’s place.

The team’s warmups had rainbow numbers and nameplates in celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community. This is not the first time the Flyers have held Pride Night celebrations, but it was the first time the team wore Pride-themed warmup jerseys. Last season, there was an option to tape their sticks with rainbow tape, and various players sported Pride-themed Flyers T-shirts before and after the game.

» READ MORE: Should the Flyers trade Ivan Provorov? Here’s what a potential deal could look like.

Following the game, coach John Tortorella said, “With Provy, he’s being true to himself and to his religion” as an explanation for why he didn’t skate in warmups. Tortorella said he did not consider benching Provorov for the game because of his decision and added that he respects that Provorov is always true to himself. Tortorella added that he thought it was a great night and celebration before ending the line of questioning.

In 2016, Tortorella threatened to bench any American players who knelt for the national anthem. In 2020, he said his stance had changed as he listened and learned over the years. He said then he hoped any player who wanted to do so would have a conversation with him about it. He said “we talked as a team and with Provy” but said he wouldn’t get any deeper into the current situation.

Provorov played 22 minutes and 45 seconds of the Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Ducks.

“I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” said Provorov when asked about his decision postgame. He said he wouldn’t go into it any further and would only take hockey questions. He did clarify that he is Russian Orthodox.

Provorov was later asked if he had any concerns that not skating in warmups would impact his game status.

“Did you not hear what I just said? Can you respect that?” Provorov said. The Flyers also jumped in to shut down any other questions on the issue.

Before the end of the game, the Flyers sent out the following statement, which Tortorella later clarified was sent in response to the situation: “The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”

Laughton, along with van Riemsdyk, joined a group of about 50 community members after the game before speaking to the media. He deferred to Provorov’s and Tortorella’s statements before emphasizing how great the night was for him, van Riemsdyk, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

» READ MORE: Flyers take Pride Night opportunity to support more inclusion in hockey

Laughton admitted it’s tough when the team isn’t making a united stand, but he said the organization and the league have made a lot of progress.

“I think we’ve had those conversations, and I think they’re ongoing,” Laughton said. “It’s come a long way throughout the years since I’ve been here, since they started You Can Play, everything like that. And it’s been great.”

The important thing, Laughton said, is bringing awareness and making people feel welcome in the hockey community. He was happy they were able to put smiles on so many faces. And he said “those conversations will still happen and everything along with that. And I’ll leave it at that.”

In addition to the Pride warmup jerseys, rainbow stick tape, and decorating the arena in Pride colors, the Flyers held a pregame skate for local LGBTQ+ youth and officers from Greater Philadelphia G.O.A.L., which aims to advance relations between the LGBTQ+ community and first responders, among other advocacy efforts. They also presented G.O.A.L with a $5,000 check and provided complimentary tickets to several LGBTQ+ organizations.