Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first active player under NHL contract to be openly gay, making the announcement Monday on social media.
The 19-year-old defenseman announced it on Instagram, just a year after he achieved his dream as a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Prokop signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators in December and played for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League this past season.
Before his reveal, no active or retired NHL player has ever come out publicly. Prokop’s decision comes just weeks after Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib became the first openly gay active player in the NFL.
Prokop told The Athletic that he first came out to the Predators in June and received overwhelming support. Following his Instagram post, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement throwing further support behind the young athlete.
Prokop said he decided in April that he was going to come out publicly after struggling with hiding his true identity for years. He also said that while Nassib’s announcement didn’t directly lead to his own decision, the support Nassib received from the NFL community inspired him.