07-19-2021, 08:59 AM
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#1
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Some kinda newsbreaker!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Learning Phaneufs skating style
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Calgary Hitman Luke Prokop could become the first openly gay player in the NHL
Taken 73rd OA in the 2020 draft by Nashville. Brave kid.
https://twitter.com/user/status/1417114803118563332
His story on coming out to his family, teammates, and the Predators has been unlocked by the Athletic free for everyone.
https://theathletic.com/2711747/2021/07/19/luke-prokop/
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07-19-2021, 09:11 AM
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#2
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Truculent!
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Brave kid!
The time is right in my opinion. I think a large majority of people in all areas of sport and life are very supportive.
Maybe I am naive but in my own life it really feels like sexual orientation isn't something anyone in my life defines themselves by.
Hell, even some of my most "toxic masuclinity" style friends are comfortable making jokes that blend the line on what most people would consider "gay", because it really doesn't get anyones hackles up anymore.
__________________
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07-19-2021, 09:15 AM
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#3
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indiana
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Gotta love his reaction to the Pred's management being proud of him upon being told:
Their message to Prokop? They were all proud of him. They had his back. He didn’t have to worry about anything.
“When I think about the feeling of being free, that was the closest I think I’ve been to it so far,” Prokop, 19, said.
“I turned up the music as loud as I could. I was wearing sunglasses, I started to cry, tears of joy, I didn’t want anyone to see me crying while I was driving. But I was blasting the tunes and slamming on my steering wheel. It was amazing.’’
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07-19-2021, 09:17 AM
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#4
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Referee
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In your enterprise AI
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Good for him. I can't imagine the weight taken off his shoulders.
Great article, amazing writing by Pierre and the Athletic link had its paywall removed so everyone can read it. You should.
Also, gotta love Burkie
Quote:
Johannson eventually got Prokop on the phone with Brian Burke, whose son Brendan made huge news in 2009 when he came out while working as a student manager for the Miami University men’s hockey team.
“I wouldn’t go into what I said to Luke other than what I would say to any gay person who is coming out, it’s a big burden off your shoulders,” Burke said. “In Luke’s case, I think he’ll find his teammates, players and officials completely, and I mean completely, supportive. But he’s going to have to deal with the social media idiots and I think he’s quite prepared for that. He seems like a very mature young man.’’
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__________________
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Last edited by MRCboicgy; 07-19-2021 at 09:23 AM.
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07-19-2021, 09:26 AM
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#5
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NOT breaking news
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Calgary
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It's crazy that between Burke and Prokop is 12 years.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
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07-19-2021, 09:28 AM
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#6
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CALGARY
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Way to go Luke! I've been watching him play with the Hitmen since he joined the club in the 2017-2018 season.
This is huge and I hope he doesn't take more of a beating this upcoming season because of this. We all know teenagers - especially in the realm of sports - have self control issues.
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07-19-2021, 09:29 AM
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#7
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Alberta
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Love the quote from Burke.
This is fantastic news. I really liked Prokop in junior, I think he stands a fair shot of seeing some NHL ice, especially developing in a place like Nashville as a huge right handed defenseman... I am glad that the stage is finally set for this to be history in this league, and hopefully another important milestone in Canadian society that sexual orientation shouldn't define or limit anyone, as obvious as that sounds to many of us already!
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07-19-2021, 09:33 AM
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#8
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cleveland, OH (Grew up in Calgary)
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Great for him to be able to work up the courage to come out. I wish him the best with the inevitable homophobic remarks that are gonna come his way
__________________
Just trying to do my best
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07-19-2021, 09:33 AM
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#9
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Referee
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In your enterprise AI
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__________________
You’re just old hate balls.
--Funniest mod complaint in CP history.
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07-19-2021, 09:38 AM
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#10
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Franchise Player
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This was all over my twitter feed this morning, with the Hitmen, CSEC and members of the media all voicing their support right after it was posted. No doubt it was intentionally done this way (along with the article on the Athletic); it was nevertheless cool to see.
Kudos to Luke and everyone supporting him.
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07-19-2021, 09:55 AM
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#11
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Powerplay Quarterback
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Kudos to Luke. Above everything else, it's wonderful that he can be truly himself openly now.
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07-19-2021, 10:00 AM
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#12
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Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Toronto, ON
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I look forward to the day when it doesn't have to be a big story because someone's sexual orientation shouldn't matter to others.
Good for him and I hope this helps others in the same position feel more comfortable being themselves.
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*Disclaimer: I am a "glass half full" Flames fan. 
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07-19-2021, 10:02 AM
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#13
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Calgary
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Good for him. Shouldn't be a news story really in this day and age but as with all things hockey, it's a bit behind the times. It's a good story regardless, it definitely helps things move in the right direction.
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07-19-2021, 10:11 AM
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#14
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#1 Goaltender
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The people in hockey and sports generally who have been working towards inclusiveness deserve a great deal of credit. To see how much support he is receiving from his NHL and WHL teams, the leagues, the NHLPA, media figures, future teammates, etc., shows that the culture of the game has come a long way in this respect. Good for him and hopefully the support continues and he and others can feel comfortable and play to the their best abilities.
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07-19-2021, 10:15 AM
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#15
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#1 Goaltender
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the real test will be when the brainless NHL "pests" try and use it against him. best outcome is that the leadership on both teams comes down hard on it to shut that s*** down immediately.
god it's the year 2021, I can't believe the wait has been this long for the first one.
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07-19-2021, 10:20 AM
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#16
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Income Tax Central
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Good for him!
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The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
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07-19-2021, 11:21 AM
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#17
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver
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It's about time this has happened. Not that anyone should come out if they don't want to, that's completely up to them. But I am glad that it's become safe enough for someone to feel like he can. I am sure this will be inspirational to other guys who play sports and feel like they need to hide who they are.
You know he isn't the first gay player obviously. Just from a statistical point of view, there were certainly NHL players who were, or are gay and could never come out or simply quit the game because they didn't feel safe.
I am sure he will have to deal with homophobic aggression from the odd player on the ice, but hopefully it bothers them more than him.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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07-19-2021, 11:21 AM
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#18
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Franchise Player
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i have to admit, at first i was - who cares, then i saw that tweet from the hitmen and it gave me another perspective. Hopefully he reaches his full potential as a player now that this weight is lifted off of his shoulders
i would be curious how much the word "gay" is mentioned as a negative slang on the ice these days at all levels of hockey
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If I do not come back avenge my death
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07-19-2021, 11:25 AM
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#19
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Scoring Winger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
It's crazy that between Burke and Prokop is 12 years.
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In this timespan
-There are now multiple LGBT rec league hockey teams in Alberta
-LGBT acceptance has jumped from 60 percent to 85 percent
-Almost all NHL teams are marching in pride parades, support you can play, etc...
-More and more athletes have come out
The amount of change in a decade is impressive.
Kudos to Luke. Seems like he has a good head on his shoulders and a great support network.
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07-19-2021, 11:36 AM
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#20
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver
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__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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