Prokop working toward NHL dream 2 years after coming out as gay

EDMONTON -- Luke Prokop is progressing on his path to becoming the first openly gay player in the NHL.

The Nashville Predators defenseman prospect announced he was gay in a social media post July 19, 2021, and became a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community. The 21-year-old said the reaction since coming out has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I don't really ever receive negative comments online and I've heard nothing on the ice," Prokop said Friday, promoting the 2023 Pride Cup ball hockey game hosted by the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.

"I think the coolest part about it was meeting my teammates the last two years and seeing their curiosity around it; them wanting to learn, which has been super cool. I think kids my age, my generation, they don't seem to care. Everyone knows somebody that's in the community and whether that be a brother, a family member or friend, it's just been really awesome to connect with some of the guys and teach them and make lifelong friendships with them and not have to worry about my sexuality with them."

Prokop was selected by Nashville in the third round (No. 73) of the 2020 NHL Draft. He made history as the first player under contract to an NHL team to come out as gay.

"We never really knew what the reaction was going to be, or the impact," Prokop said. "Talking to some teams and some groups beforehand and letting them know what we were going to do, it seemed like a positive thing. It seemed like they were all on board. But you never really know what the public was going to think about it."

Prokop had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 43 games for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, and five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 playoff games to help Seattle win the WHL championship and qualify for the Memorial Cup.

Seattle lost in the final of the four-team Memorial Cup tournament to the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, who were coached by Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy.

"It's always tough losing at the Memorial Cup," Prokop said. "I think winning the league is the most important part and the Memorial Cup is the cherry on top. All the players on our team believed that we should have won based on the team we had and the skill in that locker room. But it's one game and sometimes it's not going to go your way, and unfortunately it didn't for us."

Prokop began his WHL career with the Calgary Hitmen in 2017-18 but was traded to his hometown Edmonton Oil Kings early in the 2021-22 season. Edmonton went on to win the WHL championship and reached the Memorial Cup. During the season, Prokop became an LGBTQ+ advocate and role model, and took an active role in the Oil Kings hosting a Pride Night.

At the end of the season, Prokop received the WHL and Canadian Hockey League Humanitarian of the Year awards for his advocacy work trying to make hockey more inclusive.

"I don't think I would have been the player I am today without the help from my teammates," Prokop said. "I was in Calgary for a little bit, and I didn't get to know that group of guys before I got traded here (to Edmonton), and I got welcomed with open arms. I made some amazing friendships, guys that I'll be friends with the rest of my life, and it was great just to see them be comfortable with me."

Following their run to the Memorial Cup, Edmonton traded Prokop to Seattle. He started the 2022-23 season with Norfolk of the ECHL, playing eight games before being sent back to junior.

Now having graduated from junior hockey, the 6-foot-6, 221-pound right-shot defenseman will be heading to Predators training camp in September, hoping to make a good impression on new general manager Barry Trotz and coach Andrew Brunette.

"I'm feeling good," Prokop said. "I feel the best on the ice and the most confident I've ever been. I'm super excited to get down to Nashville. I don't really know what to expect this year. I thought I was going to play pro hockey last year, but it didn't happen. I'm just looking forward to giving a good first impression to the new coach and new general manager and just make every decision tough for them."

The Predators (42-32-8) were fifth in the Central Division, three points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference last season.

Nashville traded veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm to the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 28, creating room for a younger defenseman on the roster. It's a spot Prokop is looking to earn.

"It's an exciting time to be a young player in Nashville," Prokop said. "There is a lot of opportunity, and you never really know what the team is going to look like in camp. I think the GM kind of has an idea, but there are a few spots up for grabs."