Canadian hockey player of Russian origin refused to participate in LGBT action
The Montreal forward refused to express support to LGBTQ2I people regardless of consequences.
Russian Montreal forward Denis Gurianov is known for his hockey credits. The athlete managed to join Dallas Stars from Togliatti club Ladia, and at the age of 19 signed his first professional contract with an American club. Gurianov was quickly climbing the career ladder: a bronze medalist at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship with Russia, then debuted in NHL. At the end of the 2019/2020 season, the athlete became the best scorer of the American team, and earlier this year the hockey player began a new phase of his career in Montreal.
Despite his accomplishments, Gurianov refuses to fully adhere to club's policy. The athlete missed the warm-up before the game against the Washington Capitals, during which there was a solidarity action with the LGBTQ2I people. The decision was revealed to the press the day before the event, citing his coach, Martin St. Louis.
Before the match, the athletes wore rainbow T-shirts to support LGBTQ2I people. The jerseys will be auctioned off and the money will go to organizations against homophobia.
It is not uncommon for Russian athletes to refuse participating in such events because of the possible consequences. The thing is that in Russia there are strict laws that interpret any mention of LGBTQ2I relationships as propaganda, which is criminally punishable.
This can make it difficult for athletes to participate in national team matches or training in their countries. Athletes do not want to cause problems for themselves or family members.
Gurianov did not comment on his refusal to participate in the event. Club representatives referred to the reasons affecting the hockey player's relatives.
This is not the first case involving Russian athletes. Players from the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks have also refused to support publicly the publicly people.
