Edmonton Oil Kings’ Luke Prokop wins WHL humanitarian award for pushing for inclusion in hockey

Along with his workforce getting ready to compete for a Western Hockey League championship, Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Luke Prokop was named the winner of the WHL’s humanitarian award on Wednesday evening.

The 20-year-old, who was chosen by the Nashville Predators within the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, was awarded the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy for what the WHL described as working “tirelessly to battle for inclusion in hockey and throughout sport.”

Prokop made nationwide headlines final summer season — whereas a member of the Calgary Hitmen — when he took to social media and introduced that he’s homosexual.

In keeping with the WHL, he’s the primary overtly homosexual participant signed to an NHL contract.

READ MORE: Luke Prokop, Alberta-born NHL prospect, comes out as homosexual in Twitter assertion

The league notes he’s an ardent proponent of Children Assist Telephone and in addition established the Photographs for Affect program, donating $10 for every of his photographs on objective to Children Assist Telephone whereas additionally securing matching donations from the Oil Kings, Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers Neighborhood Basis.

Children Assist Telephone is a psychological well being service providing free and confidential help to younger individuals in Canada.

On its web site, the WHL additionally famous Prokop performed a essential position in bringing concerning the Oil Kings’ first-ever Delight Day Recreation, hosted on April 9 at Rogers Place. The participant helped work with Bauer Hockey to have customized skates made with Delight colors.

READ MORE: Edmonton mayor makes historic proclamation of Delight Nook on Whyte Avenue

The Oil Kings tweeted a video after the award was introduced on Wednesday of Prokop standing on Edmonton’s Delight Nook on the primary day of town’s annual Delight Month.

“It’s a real honour to win this award,” he says within the video. “I’d prefer to thank my teammates, my mates, my household and Children Assist Telephone for all of the help this season.”

READ MORE: Edmonton Oil Kings embracing likelihood to win WHL championship in collection towards Seattle Thunderbirds

Prokop and his teammates are getting ready for Recreation 1 of the WHL remaining towards the Seattle Thunderbirds. The puck drops on Friday evening at Rogers Place to start out the collection.