Russian NHL Star Boycotts LGBTQ Warm-up Due to Religious Beliefs

Philadelphia Flyer's Ivan Provorov boycotted the LGBTQ-themed warm-up before the match with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, citing his Orthodox religion not allowing him to support such beliefs.

Provorov asked for his choice to be respected, as the Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church called Provorov's refusal to go out on the ice in a uniform with LGBT symbols an example of fortitude.

Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella was sympathetic to his decision, but one Canadian journalist from TSN called for the defender to be suspended from the game because of his views.