Trailblazer Prokop hopes to inspire other gay athletes with new documentary

Trailblazer Luke Prokop is using a new documentary to broaden visibility for openly gay athletes in hockey, where he says he is still largely alone in the men’s game. The Canadian, 24, became the first openly gay player under NHL contract five years ago, after being drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2020. Speaking to Reuters, Prokop said the responsibility of inclusivity questions can feel “lonely” because “no one else is out.” “The Hockey Player” follows his effort to balance a professional path with a role in a sport often described as an “old boys’ club,” and highlights a filming process driven by his desire to help resonant viewers. Prokop is a free agent most recently with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. The NHL’s 2023 reversal of Pride warmup and stick-tape restrictions is part of the backdrop for shifting culture.