PHILADELPHIA — Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason he did not participate in pregame warm-ups when the team wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape.

The 26-year-old Provorov didn’t take part in the pregame skate with his teammates before their game against Anaheim on Tuesday night, when the Flyers celebrated their annual Pride night in celebration and support of the LGBTQ community. He played nearly 23 minutes in Philadelphia’s 5-2 victory.

“I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov said after the game. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”

Provorov declined to answer follow-up questions about his decision.

Flyers Coach John Tortorella said Provorov “was true to himself and to his religion.”

“It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella said.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, the leader of Russia’s dominant religious group, sent a strong signal last March justifying his country’s invasion of Ukraine – describing the conflict as part of a struggle against sin and pressure from liberal foreigners to hold “gay parades” as the price of admission to their ranks.

Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine in part as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox church, leaders of both Ukrainian Orthodox factions are fiercely denouncing the Russian invasion, as is Ukraine’s significant Catholic minority.

The jerseys and sticks were being auctioned off by the Flyers following the game, with proceeds going to the team’s charity and its efforts to grow the game of hockey in diverse communities.

The Flyers also hosted a pregame skate for local LGBTQ youth. Flyers players James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton have been staunch supporters of the community and launched a program in support of local LGBTQ youth in the greater Philadelphia area.

Laughton and van Riemsdyk met after the game with about 50 people in the LGBTQ community. Laughton said overall the Flyers had a “great, great night that brings a lot of awareness.”

Laughton said there would be more conversations ahead with Provorov, who moved from Russia to the United States as a teenager. He signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract before the 2019 season and won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers’ outstanding defenseman in his rookie season, the youngest Philadelphia player to receive the honor.

“I don’t hold anything against anyone,” Laughton said. “It’s nothing like that. It was an awesome night and I’m very happy we got a win on a night like this.”

All-Star forward Kevin Hayes, who had a hat trick in the game, said “it’s not for me to answer” when asked how he felt about Provorov’s decision.

The Wells Fargo Center was decorated Tuesday night in rainbow hues representing the LGBTQ community through special pride-themed arena LEDs, decor and rainbow-themed team merchandise.

“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community,” the team said in a statement after the game. “Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”

The NHL also champions the You Can Play Project, which aims to ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. The NHL has never had an openly gay active player.

You Can Play co-founder Brian Kitts said in a statement on Twitter that “religion and support for fans and teammates aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“The Flyers have been among the first and most consistent teams in sports supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion,” Kitts said. “There is still work to be done to change hearts and minds and the You Can Play Team looks forward to continuing our efforts.”

PREDATORS: Forward Michael McCarron is available to the Predators after entering the player assistance program of the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced McCarron returned after receiving care through the joint player assistance program. McCarron still will have access to any needed follow-up care as needed.

The 27-year-old McCarron entered the program Dec. 11 without the league and union specifying the reason. He played in 15 games , scoring one goal and an assist with 21 shots on goal.

CANADIENS: Rookie winger Juraj Slafkovsky will be out three months with a lower-body injury, the team announced.

The Canadiens provided an injury update on several players a day after placing forwards Slafkovsky, Joel Armia and Jake Evans on injured reserve.

Slafkovsky, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, was injured in Montreal’s 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday. The Canadiens said the injury does not require surgery.

The 18-year-old from Slovakia has four goals and six assists in 39 games this season.

The Canadiens also said Armia (upper-body injury) will be out until the Feb. 2-5 All-Star break and Evans (lower-body) will be out 8 to 10 weeks.

WEDNESDAY’S GAME

SENATORS 5, PENGUINS 4: Brady Tkachuk scored 25 seconds into overtime, and Ottawa won at home.

Alex DeBrincat, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson and Shane Pinto also scored for Ottawa, which went 4 for 9 on the power play. Tkachuk also had three assists, and Cam Talbot stopped 16 shots.

Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh, and Sidney Crosby had three assists.

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