Nashville Predators forward Luke Prokop says he's gay and hopes living a "real life" will help the NHL career.

 Nashville Predator prospect Luke Prokop became the first active player to sign with the NHL on Monday and became gay. Prokop, 19, announced the news in an Instagram post. Prokoop said that:"It has been a long journey in my life to reach this point, but I am very happy with the decision to get out of the closet." "From a very young age, I dreamed of becoming an NHL player. I believed in the real. Life will allow me to bring myself to the court and increase my chances of achieving my dreams. Neither current nor retired NHL players have appeared in public. Prokop is a 6-foot-4 right-back from Edmonton and Alberta. He was chosen by the Predators in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. In December last year, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators. Last season, he played for the Calgary Killers of the Western Hockey League and served as the reserve captain. He told T.W.HNEWS that he had trouble last season and wanted to play publicly because he believed it would help him relax and let him play his best hockey. Prokop said that due to COVID19, he decided to leave when returning from Calgary after the season. I was lie down in bed one night and deleted the dating app for the fourth or fifth time. I was very frustrated because I couldn't be myself, Prokop told T.W.HNEWS. \\ u201c At that time I said,'Enough. I accept who I am. I want to live the life I want, and I want to accept that I am gay. Predator forward Luke Prokop said that since he told the organization that he is gay, he has received the support of team officials and NHL Commissioner Gary Bateman. Marissa Baker \\ \/ Getty Images In June last year, Prokop started talking to some family and teammates and told the Predator team management that he was gay. He said the Predators have been extremely supportive, including the first person he spoke to with the team: Assistant General Manager Brian Boyle. At that time, he showed me a lot of support and told me that the Predators support me 1000%. They want to give me their best and are proud of me during this period, Prokop told T.W.HNEWS. “I remember after the call, my eyes started to water and I was very excited. At that moment, I thought, this is how I will feel for the rest of my life. Show it to support what they did at the time, "I think I can rule the world." The Predators issued a statement in support of Prokop on Monday, and Nashville captain Roman Josie told NHL.com that the team was "obviously for him." I am very proud of this step." "The Nashville Predators are proud of the courage shown by Luke to leave today, and as he continues to be a potential customer, we will clearly support him in the coming days, weeks and years," said the President and Chief of the Predators. Executive Officer Sean Henry said. A long-term goal of our organization is equality for all, including the LGBTQ community. During the development of his career, it is very important for Luke to feel comfortable and to be part of an inclusive environment. Josie said that: ""We as one The team’s message [yes] we obviously support him very much. We just reached out and said [we will help him] meet any of his needs and we are proud of him."" This is a big step for him and we fully support him. Prokop said his decision to come out has nothing to do with Kanasibu's June statement, though Prokop found Nasibu's comments and reaction to his statement inspiring. Nasi, the defensive end of the Los Vegas Raiders Bu became the first active player in the NFL and became gay. One of Prokop's fears was that people would think he was making ads to get attention, yet one of the main reasons I came up with it was to live a real life. Last season, he often had to hide his phone from his teammates on the track. In his statement, Prokop thanked him for "great family, friends and agents who know me and welcome me with love and support at every step." 27d Paul Gutierrez ""I hope that by sharing my identity, I It can help others to see that the hockey community welcomes gays, because we work hard to ensure that hockey is truly suitable for everyone."" Prokop wrote: ""I may be a novice in the community, but I am eager to learn about the strong and resilient people who came here before me, and pave the way for me to be more comfortable today."" For more than ten years, NHL has been committed to becoming an LGBTQ community Allies. Players from all 31 teams wrapped their bats with rainbow ribbons during the Pride Night event. Various players, including Calgary Fire Captain Mark Giordano and Vancouver Canucks goalkeeper Braden Holtby, as well as Pittsburgh Penguins hockey operations president Brian Burke and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Du. Executives such as Bath participated in the local pride parade. In 2013 the NHL and it's Players Association partnered with You Can Play, an organization "committed to ensuring the safety and inclusion of all sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans." 

"As NHL players, we are all working hard to help our team succeed on the ice. Any player who can assist in these efforts should be welcomed as a teammate," said Ron Heinsey, defensive member of the NHLPA executive committee. at that moment. This partnership reinforces the message from the hockey world that everyone is fair and equal. ""Since Prokop joined the leadership of the Predators, he said he has the support of the NHL. He said NHL commissioner Gary Bateman called him recently and asked him to contact him at any time."" I'm like you. ""Ads are becoming more common in the hockey world."" Bateman said that in a statement."" LGBTQ players, coaches and staff can perform better only if they lead full and real lives. We will not underestimate the meaning and importance of this sentence."" Bateman added that the NHL hopes to give Prokop a "welcoming and affirming" experience. the league will support any other player who "follows in his pioneering footsteps." NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr also praised Prokop's statement." We know that the NHL hockey community shall support Luke like he strives to achieve his goal of playing in the NHL. We thank him for setting an example for people in hockey and other fields," Fair said in a statement. Prokop said it is "difficult to put into words" what it means to be skating next season, knowing the truth is there. "I'll button my skates the same way. I'll put on a shirt, button up a helmet and put on gloves," Prokop said: ""But I was finally able to breathe and exhale and show my true self to the world. I'm so happy to see where this can take me, not just as a hockey player, but as a person.""