There are currently no players who are openly gay while playing in NHL regular-season games, although there is at least one openly gay player under NHL contract and several openly gay pros in other leagues. The league has seen growing LGBTQ+ visibility and allyship, but the “first out NHLer” in regular- season action has not happened yet as of the latest reporting.

Current NHL status

  • As of 2025, major news coverage notes that the NHL is the only big North American men’s league that has never had an openly gay player competing in regular-season play.
  • Former and current players, as well as inclusion groups like You Can Play , say that most players indicate they would support a gay teammate, even if the culture still feels conservative to many queer fans and players.

Luke Prokop and “under contract”

  • Defenseman Luke Prokop came out publicly in 2021 and is widely cited as the first openly gay player under NHL contract, in the Nashville Predators system.
  • Prokop has mainly played in junior and minor pro leagues so far, so he is under contract with an NHL organization but has not yet established himself as a regular NHL roster player.

Other openly gay pro hockey players

  • Brock McGillis, who played in the Ontario Hockey League and various pro leagues, is generally described as the first openly gay professional men’s hockey player and now works as an LGBTQ+ advocate.
  • There are also out players in leagues such as the AHL, ECHL, European pro leagues, and women’s hockey, even though none are currently out while playing NHL regular-season games.

Why there still aren’t out NHLers

  • Research and former-player interviews describe NHL culture as very traditional and “hard to be different,” which can make coming out feel risky for players worried about careers, contracts, or dressing-room dynamics.
  • Activists argue that homophobic fan reactions, social media pile-ons, and the league’s sometimes mixed record on Pride initiatives may also discourage players from coming out while active.

Trend and what might change

  • Surveys and player comments suggest most teammates would accept an openly gay player, even if a vocal minority of fans or commentators push back.
  • Visibility from gay hockey media, shows like the fictional gay-hockey series “Heated Rivalry,” and advocacy from people like McGillis and Prokop could help normalize the idea of an out NHL star in the near future.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.