Josh, left, and Luke Prokop leave the Saddledome in 2020. (Candice Ward/ USA TODAY Sports).

The NHL world.
Prokops coming out process eventually caused a meeting in June 2020 with his agents from The Sports Corporation in Edmonton led by Gerry Johannson.
” When we took a seat, I understood he was going to inform us something actually crucial but I had no idea this was it,” Johannson said. “When he did, I was so pleased. To start with, that he trusted us enough to tell us. And after that, simply actually pleased with his guts.”.
It was in that meeting with his agents that Prokop made an enormous decision.
” When we talked about this, my representatives said, OK, you type of have two options here– you can either keep it private, just let your family and friends know and the individuals you wish to know. Or you can come out, be a leader in a sense and reveal individuals its OK,” Prokop said.
A leader. That attracted Prokop.
Ive constantly stated I want to have a profession in hockey where I was able to make a modification in the video game (rather) than have this career full of distinctions. Thats something that Ive constantly wanted to do. The part of me being 19 and not even having gone to my very first pro camp yet, its likewise to reveal … that you can still be who you are while playing the game.
Johannson ultimately got Prokop on the phone with Brian Burke, whose son Brendan made big news in 2009 when he came out while working as a student supervisor for the Miami University mens hockey group.
Brendan died in an automobile accident in 2010. And in 2012, Brian Burke and boy Patrick founded the You Can Play project to combat homophobia in sports.
” He desired to congratulate me and state how happy he was of me,” Prokop said of his chat with the Penguins president of hockey operations. “We chatted for a bit. It was actually cool to talk with him.”. “I would not enter into what I stated to Luke other than what I would say to any gay individual who is coming out, its a huge concern off your shoulders,” Burke said. “In Lukes case, I believe hell find his authorities, gamers and teammates entirely, and I mean totally, helpful. But hes going to need to deal with the social networks idiots and I think hes quite ready for that. He appears like a very fully grown young guy.”.
Prokop knows it wont be the entire hockey world thats all set for this.
” Im not ignorant, I know theres going to be people who question it and get upset about my choice,” stated Prokop. “But I have a really excellent group of individuals around me who can support me. Im going to try not to read those unfavorable comments, which I believe will assist a lot.
” Its unfortunate that its still out there on the planet, but its a truth. I just feel prepared now to handle it.”.
Which brings us back to Brendan Burkes tradition still being felt 12 years after coming out.
Pettinger talked about the effect of enjoying Brendan Burke do an interview on TSN back in 2009 and how it moved him. McGillis formed a friendship with Brendan, which also had an effect on his ultimate choice to come out.
Brian Burke takes pride in his childs continued tradition.
” You feel Brendans fingerprints all over this,” Burke said. “Just like some kid coming out in 10 years will say, I keep in mind when Luke Prokop did.”.
After the call with Burke came a call last month from Predators assistant GM Brian Poile as the NHL world continued to end up being mindful of Prokops story. Brian Poile then arranged a larger call with his daddy, David, plus front workplace members Jeff Kealty, Scott Nichol and Rob Scuderi.
” They stated what Im doing is a terrific thing and Im going to motivate a lot of people,” Prokop said.
Brian Poile says they wanted to make sure Prokop felt part of the Predators family in every sense of the word.
” We just wished to call Luke so he could hear he had our assistance, care and love,” stated the assistant GM. “We advised Luke he was part of our Predators household, as with all our gamers and personnel, we care about them as people. We shared how courageous he was in his decision to come out publicly, how happy we were of Luke being real to himself, and he had our full support progressing together.”.
Historical effect.
Prokop is only 19. Hes most likely going back to junior hockey next season.
However theres no other method to look at this: It is substantial.
The NHL has never had a honestly gay gamer. Prokop is telling his story prior to his first professional camp.
” I think its an enormous offer,” stated McGillis. “But to have Luke come out, whos an NHL choice, who is going to play professionally, who is most likely to have a profession in the sport, thats huge. Thats going to effect lives.”.
Thats the goal, Prokop said.
” If I can inspire or help make a difference to someone, then Ive done my task in desiring to develop change and to create an environment where its healthy for gamers to come out now. … Im just trying to reveal that I want there to be a healthy environment. That if other gamers do want to come out, they can be their real, authentic selves.”.
Theres that management again.
” Its incredible what Luke is doing. I am so proud of his courage and strength that he has actually showed leading up to this,” Josh Prokop stated. “The amount of professional athletes and individuals he will touch talks to his character and how fantastic of an individual he is.”.
The message is a basic one in many ways.
” It shouldnt matter that Luke is gay,” stated Sexsmith. “Its amazing that he is. Its amazing that hes taking this step. Whats most essential is that you can be gay and you can play hockey. Theres no issue with that. Thats what Im proud of him for raising awareness.”.
Included McGillis: “Im hoping that it leads to more young grownups and even NHL gamers begin to accept who they are and after that find out to like the fact that they are gay, that they are bisexual, that they are trans, non-binary. When they do that, theyre going to be better. I do not wish to put that pressure on Luke to have to bring this torch, however at the exact same time, I just believe the presence of it has such a huge effect. I think he can simply play and go hockey and that alone is a powerful declaration.”.
Prokops world will permanently change now that hes come out to the whole world.
But the larger minute, maybe, was when Prokop accepted who he was.
” I feel like Im in a really good space right now,” stated Prokop, “and prepared to take on the world, really.”.
( Illustration: Wes McCabe/ The Athletic; picture: Candice Ward/ Calgary Hitmen).

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” Its been really unique, talking to my friends, my household, my coaches, my representatives,” Prokop said. I can simply go on the ice and be myself,” Prokop stated.
” He wanted to congratulate me and state how proud he was of me,” Prokop stated of his chat with the Penguins president of hockey operations.” Im not naive, I know theres going to be people who question it and get disturbed about my decision,” stated Prokop. I am so happy of his guts and strength that he has actually showed leading up to this,” Josh Prokop said.

The process.
Its what Prokop calls it. His process. When the pandemic shut down the WHL season in March 2020, it began.
He went house to Edmonton and decided it was time.
” I was just in a real place of comfort with being who I was,” said Prokop. “I felt I had the ability to start telling people I was gay and that individuals would be okay with it.”.
The very first person he informed was his older sister Alanna. Luke told his mommy, Nicole, followed by close friends.
” The most hard one was certainly my brother and my dad,” Prokop stated. “Just since I played hockey with Josh and I didnt know how he would respond, especially being his colleague for two years in Calgary. And with my daddy, hes a really type A person, and you simply never know what youre going to get from people.
” But theyve been really loving and so supportive and caring in attempting to assist me with what I wish to do. I couldnt have actually requested for a better scenario with me coming out.”.
His older bro, Josh, was Hitmen captain this past season, his last in major junior.
” It indicated a good deal to me that Luke was able to confide in me and be comfortable adequate to come out to me,” Josh stated. “Being his teammate is something we both will value forever, however he will constantly be my brother first and I cant reveal enough just how much it indicates to me and our relationship that he had the ability to interact his true self to me.”.
His father, Al, stated when his son came out to him he went through an entire cycle of emotions, including initially being surprised.
” And then you turn to a little bit of sadness in the sense of being unfortunate for Luke that hes had to deal with this himself for so long, and not being there to help him,” said Al
. He wished he had actually been there for his kid all these years so Luke wouldnt have actually had to bring it alone.
” Not knowing the length of time he needed to deal with it. So theres that unhappiness component. It turned to simply how happy you are of him. The bravery that he displays in having the ability to do it. Its like a whirlwind, and its not over in a day or 2, you go through it in your head for weeks and months.”.
Informing good friends and teammates.
The procedure continued with telling buddies and a couple of colleagues.
Childhood pal Joel Sexsmith of the WHLs Red Deer Rebels has understood Prokop given that they were both 9 years of ages. He was among the very first good friends Prokop told in the spring of 2020.
” Obviously, you want to watch out for your best pal,” Sexsmith said. “Being a hockey gamer, I kind of understand a few of the preconceptions that occur with something like this, so my very first instinct was telling him, Im happy of you. Im delighted for you. And I desire you to be ok.”.
Viewing his best friend manage things has actually been eye-opening for Sexsmith.
” Seeing him come from a lot of despair, a lot of stress and anxiety. For me, its nearly disconcerting to know he held it in all these years. Its incredible now to see the progression and him being so comfortable with himself to the extent where hes ready to do this.”.
Prokop confided with 3 of his Hitmen colleagues prior to this past season.
” Theyve been truly fantastic,” Prokop stated. “They kept asking me during the season if I required any extra support or if there was a conversation where sexuality came up, they made sure I was OK.
” Who I like and who I go home with during the night, thats private and it should not matter anymore. Im just there to play hockey, I exist to win a champion. Im there to hang out with the young boys. Thats who I am.”.
Sean Tschigerl was one of those colleagues. Riley Fiddler-Schultz was another.
” Luke is a remarkable buddy of mine and nothing has changed in between us,” stated Tschigerl. “But just for hockey and his life, its simply going to be that much easier now. Hes going to enjoy it that a lot more.”.
Included Fiddler-Schultz: “I appreciate Luke as a colleague, a hockey player and a good friend. And as a friend, all I want for Luke is to be pleased.”.
Dressing space banter.
Hockeys culture still has a lot work to do to make members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe.
Prokop had to hear things over the years in the dressing space.
” It was absolutely difficult,” he said. “I was guilty of it sometimes, too. No ones perfect and I would make the odd comment, too, that was most likely offside. It was when I began playing in Calgary and noticed the locker-room banter, and I considered it, What if I did come out? A few of my colleagues who are saying these words that stank to our (LGBTQ+) community and stuff, would they be accepting or would they not wish to be my teammate any longer, would they be uneasy playing with me?”.
So many things went through Prokops mind at the time.
” But Ive outgrown that in a sense and had the mindset of Im going to come out regardless of the method individuals around me talk. Theres going to be a reason why I dont necessarily associate with you anymore. I believe hockey has a long method to go still in that sense. Theres some modification to be made. And ideally I can begin some of it.”.
When it comes to the dressing room and the culture of the sport, Sexsmith concurred hockey still requires to change.
” I truthfully cant applaud Luke enough for having the ability to pass off certain comments possibly in the past, just disregarding ignorance. You understand, its not intentional ignorance by most men, theres just an absence of awareness, not enough education around it right now. I think this will bring a great deal of attention to it.”.

Sister Alanna, mother Nicole, Luke, and father Al Prokop. (Courtesy Luke Prokop).

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Luke Prokop was driving his car, so he could not completely freak out.
However guy, what he was feeling at the moment.
The 2020 third-round draft choice of the Nashville Predators was on a call with the NHL clubs key front office individuals, consisting of GM David Poile.
Their message to Prokop? They were all proud of him.
” When I believe about the sensation of being free, that was the closest I believe Ive been to it so far,” Prokop, 19, said.
I was using sunglasses, I started to cry, tears of joy, I didnt desire anybody to see me weeping while I was driving. It was amazing.”.
No doubt Prokop had wondered for nearly a year how that call with the Predators would go ever because they prepared him 73rd last fall.
” I cant thank them enough for supporting me,” Prokop said.
He had just taken his next essential step in a procedure that started in March 2020.
Telling people in his own world that hes gay.
Now, with this interview in The Athletic, he is ready to inform the whole world.
” Very brave young man, “Poile stated. “It took a lot of nerve. Im happy that he did that.
There has never ever been a honestly gay active gamer in the NHL. Incredibly, this 6-foot-5, 221-pound defenceman is coming out before his first pro camp.
And yes, part of the factor Prokop is coming out is to assist others. Foremost and very first, it was to raise a 100-pound anvil off his back.
Just being able to tell people around him over the past year has been freeing.
” Its been extremely unique, talking to my buddies, my household, my coaches, my agents,” Prokop said. “And them being very supportive, me coming out and being Okay with who I was.
” Being able to really be who I am. This is the very best Ive ever felt in the summer and I believe a big part of that is due to this process of me coming out.”.
Why now?
Prokop doesnt want to question any longer.
” I do not wish to need to walk into the health club or to the arena or simply to practice, and keep thinking, Who understands? Who does not? This is who I am,” Prokop said.
” I do not think its going to be a big topic of discussion, thats not what I want it to be. Its simply, Hey, heres who I am. It gets it off my chest. So I dont need to worry and wonder about other individuals.”.
Its something he spoke about with Bayne Pettinger, an NHL gamer agent who came out in 2015.
” I do not really need to deal with that any longer. I feel a lot more free. I can just go on the ice and be myself,” Prokop said.
Still, to do it at 19?
” I think to do this at Lukes age is so courageous,” stated Brock McGillis, who in 2016 became the very first openly gay male pro hockey player. ” Part of me is a little jealous. He gets to live most of his life as a gay male. I didnt have that capability.”.
McGillis, 37, was 10 years gotten rid of from his pro hockey profession when he came out. The hyper-masculine culture of mens hockey made him seem like being honestly gay would have been an impediment to his profession and an interruption to his colleagues.
” I cant wait to see … I mean, if he was a first-round choice in the WHL, a third-round choice, signed, in the NHL, I cant wait to see what this kid does with that weight off his shoulders.”.
Which is certainly something to consider. Prokop has actually reached these hockey heights carrying this burden. Now hes complimentary.
” Its a physical burden, a psychological concern, a mental concern that is lifted,” said McGillis. “Now, will there be opposites to that? Yeah, probably. But the most significant one is gone. … You seem like youre on a cloud and youre skyrocketing and its life-altering.”.
Pettinger sees it as a great advance for hockey.
” To have an NHL drafted/signed gamer speak his reality hopefully motivates other young players to see that hockey can be a safe area and accepting of everybody regardless of sexual orientation,” stated Pettinger.
Both McGillis and Pettinger have used Prokop assistance and assistance over the last little while. Its made a world of distinction.
” Theyve been extremely useful,” said Prokop. I call them my good friends now.”.
And Prokop will be there for them, too.
” I desire to ensure that its not constantly about them being there for me,” he stated. “Were going to go through this together. I desire to ensure those people know they can talk with me as much as I speak to them.”.
Theres a reason Prokop wears an A on his Calgary Hitmen sweater. Management. Character.