Luke Prokop, First Openly Gay Player With NHL Contract, Makes AHL Debut

Outsports reports that on Friday, Luke Prokop, the only publicly out gay athlete in men's professional hockey, played in his first game with the Milwaukee Admirals, making him the first publicly out gay player ever in the AHL.

"The 21-year-old was called up by the Admirals on Wednesday, starting the 2023-24 season with the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators, where he had recorded two goals and five points in nine games," the outlet reports.

The Admirals beat the Rockford Icedogs on the road in overtime, 5-4, elevating their record to 6-5. They are also now undefeated (1-0) with Prokop on the squad. "Prokop even earned a penalty for hooking. He's now on the box score," adds Outsports

"The AHL is the 'final step' before a shot at playing in the NHL. He's already broken that barrier in other minor leagues, including the ECHL with the Gladiators"

There are no publicly out gay men currently playing for any of the major North American pro sports leagues. Kevin Maxen is an out coach for the NFL'a Jacksonville Jaguars.

"The NHL has never had a current or former player come out publicly as gay or bi. If Prokop is able to break that barrier, he will have done so by rising up through the ranks of lower-tier hockey. He is under contract with the Nashville Predators, who drafted him with the 73rd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft," writes Outsports.

The six-foot-six right-handed defenseman became the first openly gay player under NHL contract when he came out in July 2021.

"As difficult as the decision to come out was, Prokop told The Athletic in an extended conversation recently that he's been mentally and physically freed by it. He doesn't have to hide. He can be himself, on and off the ice. Heck, he can even date."

"It's been massive," he said.

He was heartened by the widespread support he received, including shout outs from The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews and music superstar Elton John.

"I did not expect the amount of support I got from NHL players. That was really cool."

And he sees the younger generation of players far more accepting of an out player on a team.

"I just don't think guys really care anymore," Prokop said to Smith. "They might be nervous as they have this stereotype version of what a gay guy might look like, sound like, act like. Like me, coming to a team, they think I'll act a certain way, look a certain way, but they'll realize three minutes into talking to me that I'm not that.