The #NHLDoubleStandard
I would like to present to you the double standard that is the NHL:
Basically, I wanted to bring to your attention:
This all comes after a wonderful, marvelous Hockey Is For Everyone month.
(Image: NHL)
I can’t say I know what goes on behind closed doors—I can’t even begin to speculate—but I am very upset with this outcome, and I want to know why it happened.
Why did the NHL not adhere to its own standards? Why did the NHL tolerate Getzlaf but not Shaw?
The NHL should outline to its fans—to us, to its community—how it arrived at the decision not to suspend Getzlaf or, at the very least, it should publicly recognize and account for this glaring double standard and then it should actively work to not allow an oversight like this again.
Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations, said this about Getzlaf’s language:
“Getzlaf’s comment in Thursday’s game, particularly as directed to another individual on the ice, was inappropriately demeaning and disrespectful, and crossed the line into behavior that we deem unacceptable. … The type of language chosen and utilized in this instance will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League.” (Source) (*emphasis mine)
Unfortunately, the League’s actions are tolerance.
By not suspending Getzlaf, the organization indicated an ambivalence towards its homophobic and misogynist environment.
The fine is not even a slap on the wrist, and all media organizations that reported on the incident noted the Shaw-Getzlaf discipline discrepancy.
I know I’m an itty-bitty microcosm in the entirety of the NHL community, but I am very upset and outraged with what the NHL has allowed.
I know I’m not alone.
I’ve seen your posts, reblogs, and angry Twitter comments.
I want to be proud of the sport, of the NHL and of this community; this community made me fall in love with this sport. You made me fall in love with this sport.
Now it’s time to let the NHL know how much we love this sport and how much we want to see it evolve and to become a place for everyone. We, the hockey community, need to start speaking up.
The NHL needs to hear that we are upset about its double standards, and that we want an explanation or, at the very least, an apology for not doing better.
I know the NHL can be better.
So let’s make it better.
Sign the petition.
To take a stance: reblog this post, tag your friends and then click here to take action, to learn more about this campaign, and to share your ideas on how to make this possible.
Thanks for reading, reblogging and making the world a slightly better place. <3
Best, Megan
P.S. Petition to sign here.














