In the woke atmosphere of Gary Bettman’s NHL,  players  on all teams are expected to support the LGBTQ movement.

This can mean wearing rainbow colours on helmets or stockings and refraining  from negative comments.

Enter Ivan Provorov the hard hitting defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers. When the Flyers decided players would wear LGBTQ colors on their helmets Provorov refused, stating that he was a Christian (Russian Orthodox) and this management decision violated his Christian beliefs. Flyers coach John Tortorella refused to criticize Mr. Provorov saying it was his personal decision.

Many in the liberal media are outraged and horrified, while some hostile fans are calling for him to be banished/traded.

The Flyers are slow walking their comments  as Provorov  is a key to the Flyers defence and any declaration on the topic  will be met with criticism.

Perhaps the best advice for Mr.  Bettman is that he should focus on the great game of hockey, without cultural adornments, and let the cultural wars be fought by others, rather than in NHL board rooms.

Robert C. Wilson

Picton