Just days after Utah became the first state in the country to ban LGBTQ+ pride flags at schools and all government buildings, Utah Hockey Club celebrated the community at Delta Center.
While it was not officially announced by the NHL team, the Club promoted pride through a rainbow “Utah HC Pride” logo that flashed on the jumbotron Tuesday night. The item of the game was also a long-sleeve shirt with the same rainbow logo printed on it, available at the team store.
“I was wondering if it would happen this season. So I was happy to see it was going on,” said Utah fan Shilo Wilde, who was on her way to purchase the pride shirt inside the arena. “I like seeing them support the other communities out there. I have family members that are in those communities and I know that they feel a little bit saddened by things going on these days. I wanted to let them know that they were loved and supported.”
Many fans shared the same sentiment as Wilde — they were pleased to see some semblance of a pride night happening at Delta Center, but they were unaware of it before arriving at the game. A group of season ticket holders at the game said they did not get a notice beforehand.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther (11) and Calgary Flames center Morgan Frost (16) vie for the puck during the game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
“Just the political climate — I was really shocked that Utah specifically was going to do a hockey pride night,” said Piper Anderson, another fan in attendance at Tuesday’s game. “It’s a lot of heat and I do respect Utah Hockey Club for stepping out of the comfort zone and doing that.”
Anderson specifically mentioned the recent flag ban as a reason she was surprised the team held the celebration.
Utah’s pride flag ban will start May 7, with a $500 daily fine for displaying any non-sanctioned flag on government property. The bill’s sponsor has said he crafted the bill to prohibit pride flags in schools.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox let the bill pass into law without signing it. Cox expressed concerns about the flag ban while saying he would not veto the bill.
(Belle Fraser | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club “Utah HC Pride” item of the game shown on the jumbotron during the game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
“I know that recent legislation has been difficult. Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we have had our disagreements,” Cox wrote in a letter. “I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.”
The NHL has celebrated LGBTQ+ pride in different ways throughout each season. Last year, the league invested more than $75,000 in LGBTQ+ organizations and hockey tournaments in addition to individual teams hosting their own events.
But the NHL announced in June 2023 that teams were no longer permitted to wear “specialty” jerseys during warmups, practices or games. Previously, teams would wear themed sweaters for things like pride and military appreciation. The rule also said gear could not be altered to reflect the theme nights — that included pride tape (rainbow-colored stick tape that, in the past, was used to support the LGBTQ+ community).
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott (33) defends against Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The pride tape ban was reversed in October 2023 — and it stemmed from the Arizona Coyote’s last opening night before getting sold to Smith Entertainment Group at the end of last season. Former Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott was the first player to use pride tape since the league’s ban during that Oct. 22 game against the Anaheim Ducks. A few days later, the league reversed the ruling against the rainbow tape; teams have been allowed to use it during warmups ever since.
The Coyotes were the first team to hold a pride night last season — it landed on Oct. 27 against the Los Angeles Kings — and saw now Utah defenseman Sean Durzi and forward Liam O’Brien wear the pride-themed jerseys in for their arena arrivals (which was allowed).
So Utah hockey fans knew what pride celebrations across the league have looked like. They just were not sure how it would be handled by the team’s new ownership.
“I almost think it was just as much of a shock to the players as it was to the fans. Part of me — I wonder how much they knew and if they were just as shocked as the fans because it wasn’t a whole announced thing,” Anderson said. “I wasn’t expecting a lot. I wasn’t expecting jerseys or tape. It would’ve been cool to see but I’m not faulting them.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A fans watch as Utah Hockey Club takes on the Calgary Flames during the game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Jamie Phippen, who went to Tuesday’s game with her wife, said she appreciated the “Utah HC Pride” activations.
“We’ve grown to really love the Hockey Club this year and so when we got here, it was just awesome to see,” Phippen said. “I think it’s fun for the community to have different nights that celebrate different things. Sports are for everyone.”
Fans like Anderson saw some comments on social media calling for “social justice” to be kept out of sports and entertainment. That response in the wake of Utah’s flag ban made the small but noticeable effort from Utah Hockey Club mean that much more.
“As a gay hockey fan and seeing some of the backlash — it means a lot,” Anderson said. “I didn’t think it was going to happen this season.”
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