Only out gay player in North American men’s pro hockey is getting that new boyfriend boost
Five years after coming out as gay, Luke Prokop is promoting a new documentary about his pro hockey journey and has also been speaking about his boyfriend for the first time. The post Only out gay player in North American men’s pro hockey is getting that new boyfriend boost appeared first on Outsports.
Mark
Luke Prokop has enjoyed a consistent season so far in defense for the Bakersfield Condors, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.
Life is going well off the ice, too, for the only out gay athlete currently contracted to a team in a major men’s pro sports league in North America.
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For the first time in the media, Prokop has shared the personal news that he is currently dating, saying that his boyfriend has been a calming influence over the last six months.
The relationship is long-distance, with Charlie living in Saskatchewan, but his daily calls and messages with Prokop, plus occasional visits to California to watch him play, have brought a lot of happiness.
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“It’s just been nice to have someone to talk to,” says Prokop, in a new interview with The Athletic’s Joe Smith.
The feature article is part of the promotional buildup for a new documentary titled “The Hockey Player,” produced by OUTtv and due to be released in Pride Month in June.
The film will chart Prokop’s journey from a young prospect to a pioneer for LGBTQ representation in the sport.
The Canadian made history in July 2021 when he became the first active player under an NHL contract to come out as gay.
The then Nashville Predators prospect even received a supportive phone call from Sir Elton John at the time, with his news making a huge impact around the world.
Luke Prokop is rare example of an out gay man in pro sports
In the five years since, Prokop has developed his game with minor pro and junior hockey teams in Edmonton, Virginia, Washington and Atlanta before stepping up to the AHL, first with the Milwaukee Admirals for two seasons and now with the Condors.
“The Hockey Player” has been filmed over the last three years and will show how Prokop has successfully managed the realities of being an out gay athlete in a high-pressure hockey environment.
In recent times, he has also been the lone representative for gay and bi men in major North American pro team sports.
Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler ran the numbers 18 months ago, calculating that there were 4,592 active players across the rosters of the 153 major US men’s pro sports teams in the Big Five men’s pro sports leagues in America.
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None were publicly out as gay or bi at that time (it was just over a year after Carl Nassib’s retirement from the NFL), and that’s still the case today. One of the only other male pro athletes, soccer’s Collin Martin, is currently without a club after leaving USL Championship team North Carolina FC at the end of 2025.
It’s why the visibility that Prokop provides in sports is still so important. In his Athletic interview, he says his whole coming-out experience was “super positive,” and there have been “no conflicts” since.
‘Heated Rivalry’ effect will benefit Luke Prokop’s documentary
The 80-minute documentary will arrive hot on the heels of “Heated Rivalry,” and the hope is that it will go some of the way to satisfying the demand of the hit TV show’s loyal fans to see greater representation in men’s hockey in real life.
The film’s producer, Taylor Prestidge, says the gay drama has been “an absolute blessing” for his project. “Not just documentary aficionados are going to watch this now,” he tells The Athletic.
Other parts of Prokop’s story will include his diagnosis with ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT), an arrhythmia of the heart which required surgery last season, and his relationship with his father.
It’s not clear whether the documentary will feature Charlie, but he is increasingly becoming involved in Prokop’s life.
While they’ve only been seeing each other for six months so far, Prokop can already appreciate the positive influence that his boyfriend has on his mood.
“I’m an overthinker,” says the 6ft 6in defenseman, “and he’s always telling me not to worry about it and, ‘Everything will be fine,’ and ‘It doesn’t matter what other people think.’ I still get into my own head about it sometimes.”
Prokop has already been the subject of a short documentary film made by the Milwaukee Admirals, but when “The Hockey Player” is released, his profile is sure to rise another notch.
He was still a teenager when he made his social media post to announce his coming out. Now he’s feeling even more confident to be in focus on camera as a gay athlete, and to be open about his lovelife as well.
Change can often feel very slow on this side of men’s sports. It’s the likes of Luke Prokop who will ensure we keep moving forward.
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The post Only out gay player in North American men’s pro hockey is getting that new boyfriend boost appeared first on Outsports.
