The Providence Bruins, in their 21st season in the American Hockey League, today became the third AHL team to take the “You Can Play Pledge” as part of the ongoing relationship the AHL has with the You Can Play Project, which works to end homophobia in sports.
In support of the You Can Play Project, the team has released a video featuring 11 players and head coach Bruce Cassidy.
The pledge was created by the You Can Play Project as a way to encourage organizations and players to speak up against homophobia in the locker room and arena.
Providence Bruins players Carter Camper, Christian Hanson and Alden Hirschfeld have a personal connection to the Burke family and invited project co-founder and president Patrick Burke to speak to the team following a game in early December about “You Can Play.” Burke and his father, former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, have made it their mission to break down the walls of homophobia in professional sports in memory of Brendan, Patrick’s younger brother who died in a tragic motor vehicle accident on Feb. 5, 2010.
At the time of his passing, Brendan was the student manager for the Miami University RedHawks men’s ice hockey team, which Camper and Hirschfeld were members of.
The Providence Bruins players and personnel who took part in the video are, in order of appearance: Bobby Robins, Christian Hanson, Chris Bourque, Tommy Cross, David Warsofsky, Alden Hirschfeld, Lane MacDermid, Colby Cohen, Carter Camper, coach Bruce Cassidy, Max Sauve and Niklas Svedberg.
The Bruins join the Toronto Marlies and Peoria Rivermen as AHL teams to have taken the You Can Play pledge.
