Canucks share statement on boycotting NHL games

The Vancouver Canucks didn’t play Game 3 of their playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights because the players chose to take a stand.

The Vancouver Canucks didn’t hit the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night.

Instead, the Canucks-Golden Knights and New York Islanders-Philadelphia Flyers games were postponed. This was because of the support of protests against police brutality and racism.

This came a day after the NBA postponed it’s playoff games, which started with the Milwaukee Bucks boycotting their playoff game against the Orlando Magic following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin last weekend. MLB and MLS also postponed games in protest for racial injustice. The NHL was criticized heavily for having their games continue and having only a moment of silence before the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins.

Kelly Hrudey, former player and current analyst for Sportsnet, criticized the decision on the Hockey Central panel.

“I don’t think we should be here. I think the NHL should postpone the games. I really feel that we should be more supportive of Black Lives Matter,” he said.

“I’d prefer to be having this conversation with my family. I’ve said, many months ago, when I made my video about Black Lives Matter, it means something to me.”

On Thursday morning, the Hockey Diverse Alliance –which includes Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks, Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild and former player Akim Aliu  — called for the NHL to suspend all playoff games that night.

The official announcement came in the afternoon. According to New York Post reporter Larry Brooks, the Canucks were the driving force against not playing in protest against inequality.

TSN 1040 insider Rick Dhaliwal tweeted that some Vancouver players discussed this with Ryan Reaves.

The Canucks released a statement through their social media accounts, concluding with “We have all worked hard to come together to play games, but this is a moment for all of us to take a stand. This is bigger than hockey.”

The Canucks and the other teams in the Edmonton bubble held a press conference shortly after the announcement. The players came together for the press conference. The front included Reaves, Nazem Kadri and Vancouver captain Bo Horvat.

“There needs to be change,” said Horvat. Us, being all together here as one, shows strength in the hockey community and in the world.”

Reaves also added, “The conversation started with white players on other teams wanting to talk.”

After the players, the coaches had their turn.

Canucks head coach Travis Green joined the other coaches at the podium.

“There’s sports and then there’s things that are bigger than sports,” Green told reporters.

Green also spoke about how the players talked to a opponent in Reaves.

“It’s hard not to be proud of them,” he said.

The NHL and NHL Players Association also released a statement.

Conclusion

Friday’s games between the Lightning and Bruins as well as the Avalanche and Stars have also be postponed. The NHL’s games will resume on Saturday.

The Canucks and Golden Knights will play Game 3 at 6:45 p.m. Pacific.