Luke Prokop was 19 when he put three words out for the world to see, three words that made NHL history.
A little more than a year after the Nashville Predators chose him in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Prokop came out publicly, the first player under NHL contract to do so.
“I am gay,” he announced that July day.
Prokop had informed the Predators a year before that he’s gay. He’s glad he had the talk with then-GM David Poile and some others in the organization.
“The phone call I had with them was the last little bit of confidence I needed,” Prokop told The Tennessean on Wednesday during the team’s development camp. “I knew they believed in me 100% and thought it was the right thing to do.
“They have almost every excuse to not do the Pride stuff. Being in Tennessee, it’s more of a conservative state. So they might kind of be going against most people’s opinions. They have every right to not do the (Pride) nights, but they do it anyway. They want to show the game is for everyone.”
After he came out, Prokop received a phone call of encouragement from Elton John. He was lauded by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. He felt accepted, he said.
Big fan of Shea Weber
Prokop took an interest in the Predators when he was growing up. Former captain Shea Weber was his favorite player. He wore No. 6, just like Weber. He’s a defenseman, just like Weber. He was drafted by the Predators, just like Weber.
The last part, he said, he couldn’t believe.
“To know that I’m drafted by the same organization, which is known for producing defensemen, this is an honor,” Prokop said. “Hopefully I can get to this level.”
Prokop’s interest in the team swelled in 2017, when the Predators unexpectedly made a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Prokop’s journey in the organization will continue next season when he most likely will play in the American Hockey League with the Milwaukee Admirals, one step from Nashville.
The more things change …
Prokop said his life hasn’t changed much since he came out. He said teammates and opponents haven’t treated him any differently.
The 6-foot-6, 221-pound Prokop also has moved out on his own and said he’s doing his best not to burn down his new place as he continues to learn to cook new recipes he’s been discovering.
“Almost burned the house down a few times,” he said with a laugh.
“It will be two years in two weeks (since coming out). I haven’t taken a whole lot of (crap). Maybe the odd Twitter comment you see. I think I’ve done a really good job, especially during the season, of keeping a low profile by just focusing on hockey. I’m a hockey player. That’s my job. That’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.
“I can be outspoken sometimes when certain topics come up.”
For instance when some players and teams opted not to wear Pride night sweaters last season.
“I share the disappointment in what feels like a step back for inclusion in the NHL,” Prokop posted on social media. “Pride nights and pride night jerseys play in important role in promoting respect and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community, and it’s disheartening to see some teams no longer wearing them or fully embracing their significance.
“Everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs but I think it’s important to recognize the difference between endorsing a community and respecting individuals within it.”
The NHL has since decided it will do away with all special jerseys that were worn during pregame warmups, including those honoring the military or symbolizing inclusion.
“I think my generation, everyone kind of knows somebody in the community, so it’s not a massive deal to them,” he said. “I think in locker rooms, slurs are kind of just used as word fillers. They don’t actually intentionally use those words in a bad way. That’s just a product of our environment. I’ve heard it since I was 10, 11, 12 years old, so it’s nothing new.”
Moving on up
Prokop was 4 when he first put on skates. He was 9 or 10 when he began taking the sport seriously. He was 11 or 12 when he gave up another love, lacrosse, to devote his attention to hockey.
When he’s not playing or reading a book or speaking out, Prokop usually can be found with a golf club in his hands. His parents own a course in Edmonton, Alberta, where Prokop is from.
But hockey dealt Prokop a gut punch last season, which he spent in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds and not with the Admirals.
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“Maybe last year I took it for granted,” Prokop said. “Going into the summer I thought I was going to be playing in the American League. … It was a tough pill. I thought I played really well. There wasn’t really much more I could do. They had older guys kind of set in the lineup.”
This year is different. The Predators will have an overhauled roster. Plenty of spots in Nashville and Milwaukee could be up for grabs.
Which is music to Prokop’s ears.
“You’re so close to your dream of playing in the National Hockey League,” he said.
The moments of Prokop being that starstruck kid in camp who just met Roman Josi or Filip Forsberg are but memories now. Now, with so many steps behing him, Luke Prokop has his sights set on the next step in front of him.
That is Predators training camp this fall.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Luke Prokop make Nashville Predators? Closer than ever to NHL dream
