Giroux serves as ambassador for Flyers’ ‘You Can Play’ Night

PHILADELPHIA – Thursday night was a special one in Flyers’ history.

The Flyers partnered with the “You Can Play’’ Project to host “You Can Play’’ Night as the Montreal Canadiens visited for a game at the Wells Fargo Center.

The You Can Play Project is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux was scheduled to serve as the team’s official You Can Play ambassador and was set to host several young fans from the Philadelphia non-profit ProjectHOME in his personal suite.

In honor of the evening’s cause, sticks used by players with Pride Tape on them were to be auctioned off by Flyers Charities, with proceeds benefitting the You Can Play Project.

Additionally, the Flyers were set to honor Deja Alvarez of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission of LGBT Affairs as the evening’s Walmart Community Playmaker.

A leader and activist in the LGBTQ community, Alvarez was one of the founding members and first director of the non-profit Home For Hope, the first shelter in Pennsylvania to serve the LGBTQ homeless community. Alvarez was also named Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Gay News in 2016.

Additional in-game features included facts and figures about the You Can Play Project and Hockey is For Everyone, amplified by rainbow colors, including a Pride-themed Flyers logo.

You Can Play Night falls under the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone Month initiative, and the Flyers will continue to support the month by highlighting a number of their active hockey programs that spotlight the club’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when they host Hockey is For Everyone Night on Tuesday, Feb. 20.