Luke Prokop Becomes The First NHL Player Under Contract To Come Out As Gay

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/19/ [login to see] /luke-prokop-becomes-the-first-nhl-player-under-contract-to-come-out-as-gay
Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop announced on Monday that he's gay, becoming the first player under contract to an NHL team to do so.

"It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I could not be happier with my decision to come out," Prokop, 19, said in an Instagram post.

"From a young age I have dreamed of being an NHL player, and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams," he added.

High-level female hockey players, such as former Olympic gold medalist Meghan Duggan, have previously come out as gay, according to the league. But until Prokop's announcement Monday, no other player signed to an NHL team had come out in the history of the professional league.