Gay hockey player Luke Prokop moves to new team, continuing NHL dream

Luke Prokop, an openly gay figure in professional hockey, has signed with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL), an affiliate of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Edmonton Oilers. This move marks a significant step in Prokop's career as he continues to break barriers for LGBTQ+ athletes in the sport.

"Excited for the new opportunity in Bakersfield," Prokop shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The AHL serves as the primary developmental league for the NHL, with teams feeding players to their NHL affiliates. Prokop has spent over a season in the AHL, demonstrating his commitment to honing his skills and pursuing his NHL aspirations.

As reported by OutSports, the announcement has garnered widespread positive reactions across social media, with the overall sentiment remainining overwhelmingly supportive.

Gordon Munro, an Edmonton Oilers writer for FanSided, lauded the move as a positive development for Prokop's career trajectory. "Prokop has seen positive movements the past two years, playing all 31 games with the Admirals this year after mainly sticking with the Gladiators in the East Coast league," Munro wrote for Oil on Whyte.

Prokop was initially drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Throughout his career, he has played for various teams, achieving success and accumulating valuable experience. This past season, he played 40 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, recording six points (one goal and five assists).

In July 2021, Prokop made history by publicly coming out as gay, becoming the first active male professional hockey player in North America to do so. His decision to live authentically has inspired countless individuals and has paved the way for greater inclusivity in the sport. Prokop remains the only active player to have come out publicly.