Colorado Avalanche A Positive Presence at Denver Pride

Colorado Avalanche mascot Bernie and the newly formed Ice Patrol marched at Denver Pride.

June is Pride Month and this year the Colorado Avalanche have decided to participate.

They aren’ the only NHL team to do so. The Washington Capitals had a significant presence during Pride in D.C. Braden Holtby participated with his wife Brandi for the third consecutive year and the Capitals sent their Digital Correspondent to cover the event.

Of course with Pride month taking place in June it’s difficult to get players involved as most of them are elsewhere for the offseason. Other teams have shown their support for an inclusive community by sending their mascots.

After a disappointing Hockey is for Everyone night I had low expectations when it was announced that the Colorado Avalanche mascot would be taking part in Denver’s Pride march. So little was done to promote the previous event that I was expecting the appearance at Denver Pride to get ignored entirely.

I am pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was Bernie present, but the newly formed Ice Patrol (which has recently been rebranded from Ice Girls and is now mixed gender) was there as well.

This is so important, and is delightful to see. It tells the people in attendance at Pride that the Avalanche sees them and supports them. Appearances like this will encourage potential new LGBTQ+ fans to come to games.

Don’t get me wrong this is just a small step, but it’s a step, and it’s a vast improvement on the coverage of the Hockey is for Everyone game.

The responses to the Avalanche presence at Pride appear to be mostly positive (and everyone loves the shirts the Ice Patrol are wearing) so I am hopeful this will lead to better coverage of Hockey is for Everyone next year.  Who knows we may even reach the point where some of the players who have a permanent home in Denver decide to take part in Pride.

One step at a time.

Happy Pride Month, everyone!