Ilya Samsonov refuses to put Pride Night sticker on his helmet

During their recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted Pride Night to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, the team surprised their fans by deciding not to wear new Pride jerseys and instead opting to wear Pride stickers on their helmets. The team explained that actions speak louder than words and that promoting inclusivity is an ongoing effort.

Unfortunately, not all players wore the stickers, including Ilya Samsonov, one of the team's goalies, who was not available for comment before the game. Despite this, the team's decision to celebrate Pride Night and display their support for inclusivity is a positive move.

While some fans may have been disappointed by the absence of new Pride jerseys, the team's message about the importance of actions over symbols is a crucial one. The Pride decals on their helmets serve as a reminder that promoting inclusivity is an ongoing effort that requires continuous action.