NHL & NHLPA Donations Sustain 2024 Seattle Pride Classic At KCI

The NHL has put its financial muscle behind this weekend's Seattle Pride Classic.

According to the tournament organizers, Seattle Pride Hockey Association, donations from the NHL and NHL Players Association’s Industry Growth Fund spurred the launch of the Seattle Pride Hockey League.

It's comprised of four teams, 70 players, and nearly 80% of participants representing the LGBTQ+ community.

An SPHA press release quotes Kim Davis, NHL Sr. Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives, and Legislative Affairs. “Members of the LGBTQ+ community have made, and continue to make, enormous contributions to the game of hockey.

“Investing in the rapid growth of the SPHA, a space where the LGBTQ+ community can be authentic and feel welcome, is an important part of our commitment to inclusion on and off the ice, and ensuring our sport continues to thrive.”

In addition to more than 300 players on 20 teams, notable names expected to participate include:

• Luke Prokop, former Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman, two-time WHL Champion, and the first openly gay player under contract with an NHL team
• Current PWHL players Erin Ambrose and Élizabeth Giguère
• Jessica Platt, former women’s Canadian professional & trans rights advocate
• J.T. Brown, former NHL forward and Seattle Kraken TV analyst
• Andrew Ference, former NHL defenseman who won a Stanley Cup in 2011

Ference now serves as the Director of Social Impact, Growth, and Fan Development for the NHL.

Questions have been raised regarding the NHL's true commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. SPHA vice president Joey Gale addresses that in today's Kraken Reaction .