Luke Prokop: The First Openly Gay Player Under Contract in the NHL

Luke Prokop is the first openly gay player to sign a contract with a National Hockey League (NHL) team, having come out publicly in 2021. A 6’4″ defenseman drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2020, Prokop’s career and personal identity are the central focus of the documentary The Hockey Player, which examines the challenges of LGBTQ+ visibility in professional ice hockey.

What is The Hockey Player documentary?

The Hockey Player is a documentary produced in association with OUTtv that tracks Prokop’s professional trajectory and his experience as a queer athlete in a traditionally conservative sport. According to Prokop, the film explores the transition from viewing the “gay hockey player” label as a negative source of unwanted attention to embracing it as a responsibility for representation. The film features interviews with Prokop’s family, former player and LGBTQ+ advocate Brock McGillis, and hockey executive Brian Burke.

The documentary became available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon Prime Video on June 29, with a subsequent release planned for OUTflix. Prokop stated that the project was driven by a desire to provide visibility for other queer players who may not feel comfortable coming out.

How has Prokop’s professional career progressed?

Prokop’s path to the professional ranks began with his selection by the Nashville Predators during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. His career has since spanned several tiers of professional hockey, including the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) and the AHL (American Hockey League).

Prokop recently signed with the Bakersfield Condors, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, for the 2025-26 season. Prokop noted that this move resulted in his strongest AHL performance to date, providing a “new beginning” with a different organization after his initial tenure with the team that drafted him.

Why did Prokop criticize the NHL’s Pride policies?

Prokop has been vocal about the NHL’s handling of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, specifically regarding the league’s 2023 decision to ban Pride-themed tapes and jerseys. While the league currently allows players to voluntarily wear rainbow-colored tape, the broader ban on cause-based warm-up gear remains in place.

Prokop described the difficulty of balancing his role as a community representative with his professional standing. He stated that he must “oscillate on the line” of what he can say to avoid harming his career while still speaking on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. He characterized the documentary as a way to address these issues without overstepping the boundaries set by the league.

How does Heated Rivalry relate to Prokop’s experience?

The cultural success of the series Heated Rivalry has increased public interest in queer narratives within hockey. Prokop identified with the show’s themes of secrecy and the fear of being public, specifically noting the relationship between characters Scott and Kip.

The show also highlighted the real-world precedent of Harrison Browne, the first openly transgender athlete in professional North American hockey. Prokop has noted the parallels between himself and the fictional character Ryan Price from Rachel Reid’s book Hard Ice—both being tall, red-haired Canadian defensemen who are gay—and expressed interest in a potential cameo in the series.

Comparison of LGBTQ+ Representation in Professional Hockey

As Prokop continues his career in the AHL, his presence serves as a benchmark for inclusivity in a sport that is currently navigating the tension between traditional culture and evolving social standards. His move to the Bakersfield Condors marks a pivotal shift in his career as he seeks to balance athletic performance with his role as a public figure for the LGBTQ+ community.