Citing his Christian religion, San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer mentioned he selected to not put on a pregame warmup jersey in help of the LGBTQIA+ group on Saturday, as a part of the group’s weeklong “Delight Night time” festivities.

“For all 13 years of my NHL profession, I’ve been a Christian — not simply in title, however in how I select to reside my life day by day,” Reimer mentioned in an announcement previous to Saturday’s 4-1 dwelling loss to the New York Islanders.

“I’ve a private religion in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to like everybody and comply with him.

“I’ve no hate in my coronary heart for anybody, and I’ve at all times strived to deal with everybody that I encounter with respect and kindness.

“On this particular occasion, I’m selecting to not endorse one thing that’s counter to my private convictions that are based mostly on the bible, the best authority in my life.

“I strongly imagine that each particular person has worth and price, and the LGBTQIA+ group, like all others, needs to be welcomed in all features of the sport of hockey.”

Sharks gamers wore the Delight-themed jerseys designed by San Jose artist Houyee Chow, who describes herself on her Instagram account as a queer artist and educator.

The jersey has a Delight crest and a “Love Wins” patch on them and San Jose mentioned it’s “extraordinarily proud to host” the “Delight Night time” festivities in help of the LGBTQIA+ group, including that its devoted to “an inclusive, welcoming, and protected setting for all company.”

“As we promote these requirements, we additionally acknowledge and settle for the rights of people to specific themselves, together with how or whether or not they select to specific their beliefs, whatever the trigger or matter,” the Sharks mentioned in an announcement previous to the sport.

“As a corporation, we is not going to waver in our help of the LGBTQIA+ group and proceed to encourage others to have interaction in energetic allyship.”

Reimer didn’t play within the Sharks’ loss.

‘Folks in excessive locations’

The 35-year-old Reimer, who’s in his second season with San Jose and will likely be a free agent after the season, was requested by a reporter previous to the sport if he’s involved that his social stance might stop one other group from signing him within the offseason.

“I would be mendacity if I mentioned that wasn’t one thing that crossed my thoughts,” Reimer mentioned. “This isn’t a stance that I used to be seeking to make.

“I noticed this taking place and I began conversations nearly a yr in the past with individuals in excessive locations, not as a result of I am ashamed of my religion however due to sure penalties that they might have for me or different people who really feel this manner.

“These conversations occurred and right here I’m standing up for what I imagine in. I am certain there’s individuals in administration or possession that will not look favorably on this.

“On the identical time, I hope that there is one other handful of individuals in administration or possession that respect me for standing up for what I imagine in and that is an enormous a part of who I’m.”

After the sport, the group thanked followers for the celebration.

“We all know that one group cannot make all of the modifications we search to make hockey (and the world) extra welcoming to all, however it’s a begin. With all of you, we will make an influence.”

Reimer has performed in 35 video games this season, beginning 34 of them. He’s 10-17-7 with a 3.26 goals-against common and .895 save proportion.

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