Jon Lee-Olson, the goalkeeper of Rungsted Seier Capital in Rungsted, Denmark, came out as gay during a live Danish TV interview.
Said Lee-Olson, as translated by Outsports: “There’s a risk that some people might shout and heckle me while I’m playing matches. It’s something I have to be ready for, and be mature about. But I feel that I’m ready to show that you can be gay and play ice hockey. It took longer than I expected, but now I’m ready to stand up for myself and others.”
Danish NHL player Lars Eller of the Washington Capitals spoke out following Lee-Olson’s coming out: “It’s special. You might say that about any sport, but ice hockey has a very macho culture, so I think it must not have been an easy decision for him. It’s very brave.”
There has never been an out player in the NHL.
