It was an awesome night and I’m very happy we got a win on a night like this. ”Tortorella dismissed criticisms that Provorov’s actions “embarrassed the organization, ” saying, “I don’t look it at like that all. ”Tortorella has coached five NHL teams and drew comparisons to his own controversy in 2016 in Columbus, when he threatened to bench any player that protested or took a knee during the national anthem.
It shouldn’t be done. Those are my feelings. I can’t push those feelings on to someone else. So I was wrong in saying that back then. I didn’t realize I was. “But I was went through it all, who am I to push my feelings on to someone else. Same situation here. ”The Russian Orthodox Church, like other major Eastern Orthodox branches, doesn’t perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
“Why would I bench him? Because of a decision he’s making on his beliefs and his religion? ” Tortorella said. “It turned out to be a great night for Pride night. ”The Flyers, led by players James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton, have been staunch supporters of the LGBTQ community and launched a program in support of LGBTQ youth in the greater Philadelphia area. The Flyers also hosted a pregame skate for local LGBTQ youth, and Laughton and van Riemsdyk met after the game with about 50 people from the community. “I don’t hold anything against anyone, ” Laughton said Tuesday. “It’s nothing like that.
His comments came in the wake of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit or kneel during the anthem because he said the country “oppresses Black people and people of color. ”Tortorella has since said, and reiterated Thursday, he was wrong. “I learned a lot through that experience, ” Tortorella said. “My feelings toward any time of protest to the flag during the anthem, it disgusts me, to this day. It disgusts me.
WATCH LIVE: Hurricanes-Islanders, Avs-Sharks continue Round 2 | ProHockeyTalk | NBC SportsPHILADELPHIA – Flyers coach John Tortorella defended Russian defenseman Ivan Provorov‘s decision to cite religious beliefs as his reason to boycott the team’s pregame Pride celebration. “Provy did nothing wrong, ” Tortorella said Thursday.
That’s all I’m going to say, ” he said, declining to answer follow-up questions. Tortorella said had “very healthy” conversations with Provorov, general manager Chuck Fletcher and select players days ahead of the game. Provorov’s decision was not a surprise to the organization. The first-year Flyers coach also said he never considered benching Provorov.