Zucc proud to be part of NHL’s LGBTQ initiative
TORONTO — Mats Zuccarello didn’t have a second thought when he was asked to become the Rangers’ ambassador for the You Can Play Project, an initiative through which the NHL partners to promote inclusion and diversity specifically relating to the LGBTQ community.
“I think it’s important to promote the awareness that everyone should be accepted for who they are, no matter what their sexuality is,” Zuccarello told The Post before the Rangers’ 2-1 shootout win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday night. “People should be able to do what they love, they shouldn’t be looked at as different.
“I think that is an important issue.”
Though there has yet to be an openly gay player in the NHL, the league has been progressive on this issue. February has been designated as “Hockey Is For Everyone Month.”
“You only get one life on this earth. You should be able to live it as yourself,” Zuccarello said. “For me, that’s the most important message.
“If someone comes out as gay, it shouldn’t be a big deal. It isn’t to me. It should be normal. Why should we care about another person’s sexuality? We’re all here one time.
“Everyone should feel comfortable with who they are and should be able to do what they want. No one should ever have to pretend to be something they’re not.”
Kevin Klein was a late scratch after an upper-body issue, termed “not serious” by the club, surfaced at the morning skate. Adam Clendening took Klein’s spot as Brady Skjei’s right-side partner on the third pair.
Pavel Buchnevich, replaced by Brandon Pirri, was scratched for the second time in the past four games. The rookie had gone 12 straight without a goal (with one assist) since scoring here on Jan. 19. Matt Puempel was the other healthy scratch up front.
Henrik Lundqvist made his 14th start in the past 15 games, dating to Jan. 17 and his 19th in the past 21, since Dec. 31. Antti Raanta is slated to get one of the starts over the weekend, when the Blueshirts have a back-to-back set that starts at New Jersey on Saturday before concluding at home against Columbus on Sunday.