NHL lifts ban on rainbow-colored Pride Tape

• Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott flouted the rule over the weekend in a game against the Anaheim Ducks when he played with rainbow tape on his stick.

State of play: "After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the NHL said in a statement Tuesday.

• The NHL announced in June that teams would no longer wear specialty warmup jerseys to commemorate theme nights, after several players refused to wear themed jerseys during Pride Nights last season.
• Earlier this month, the NHL expanded the ban to include using Pride Tape at any time.
• The NHL said the ban was intended to prevent the use of stick tape as an "end-around" to violate the uniform policy, ESPN reported.

The big picture: Pride tape was initially introduced seven years ago to show inclusion and support for LGBTQ athletes, per NPR.

• Among those who spoke out against the Pride tape ban this month was former NHL executive Brian Burke, who said in a statement that the ban was a "surprising and serious setback."

What they're saying: Dermott called the league's rule change "amazing" on Tuesday.

• "Hopefully going forward, not just myself and the team but the whole league gets kind of a better game plan going forward with this," Dermott said, per The Athletic. "We're not singling guys out for their religious beliefs and all that stuff. But if guys want to go out of their way to support a cause that is impactful to a lot of people, then why not give us that voice? I really respect and honor the word that the league has put in for this."
• "To be able to have them really take a step in the right direction here in my eyes is unbelievable. It really makes me proud of the spot that I'm working in.