Canadiens forward Denis Gurianov will not wear the Montreal-themed warm-up jersey for Pride night, citing family reasons.
Gurianov became the seventh NHL player to recently opt out of wearing the Pride-themed jerseys at team Pride nights.
The Canadiens are scheduled to wear the jerseys Thursday night during a pregame skate before a game against the Washington Capitals.
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Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck during the second period against the Florida Panthers at Center Bell on March 30, 2023 in Montreal. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said it was difficult to comment on Gurianov’s decision because he had never walked a day in his shoes.
«I think anyone can say that you would always try to protect your family, so I have a hard time judging that,» St. Louis said. «(Gurianov) is a great guy. He is tough.»
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A Russian law restricts «propaganda» about LGBTQ+ people, including in advertising, media and the arts.
View during the singing of the national anthem before a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Center on June 6, 2021, in Montreal. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Russian Ivan Provorov of the Flyers, James Reimer of the Sharks and brothers Eric and Marc Staal cited religious beliefs in refusing to participate in warm-ups wearing rainbow-colored jerseys.
Ilya Lyubushkin said he would not participate due to the law in Russia, where he was born. And Andrei Kuzmenko, another Russian player, decided not to wear the special kit after discussing it with his family.
Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens controls the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Even though Gurianov was left out, St. Louis said the night was important for the franchise.
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«We are all on this planet. We should love each other, and tonight is one of those nights,» he said. «We Montreal Canadiens really care about tonight, and so do I. It’s a great night.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.