‘As long as you’ve got a love for hockey, you’ll be accepted’

Statistically speaking, Trevor van Riemsdyk has almost certainly had a gay teammate at some level, if not every level. But he’s never had an openly gay teammate. The idea behind the You Can Play Project is that in the future — hopefully sometime very soon — players won’t have to hide part of who they are just to be accepted in the dressing room.

Van Riemsdyk believes that time is already here.

“I don’t think it would be an issue,” the Blackhawks defenseman and the team’s designated LGBTQ ambassador said. “I’ve been lucky enough to be in some awesome locker rooms, and it’s nothing but fun. Just from my personal experience, I think I could safely say that it’d be accepting. … You pride yourself on making the locker room a place where everyone wants to come and feels good about being there.”

The Hawks hosted “Hockey Is for Everyone” night Saturday against the Oilers, part of a leaguewide initiative aimed at making hockey more inclusive for all people. Players used rainbow-colored “pride tape” on their equipment during warmups, and the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, Center on Halsted and Hockey On Your Block groups were represented on the concourse throughout the game. And on March 2, the Hawks will host a private screening of “Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future,” for Hockey On Your Block students at the Harper Theater in Hyde Park. The film highlights the contributions and tribulations of black hockey players.

Van Riemsdyk volunteered to be the Hawks’ LGBTQ ambassador, following in the footsteps of his older brother, James, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ representative. The position is largely ceremonial but will involve some appearances in the community as a public face for the promotion. Andrew Shaw, who was suspended for a playoff game last spring for shouting a homophobic slur at a referee, is the Montreal Canadiens’ ambassador.

Trevor van Riemsdyk, who did similar work for inclusion at the University of New Hampshire, said the You Can Play initiative shows how progressive the sport is.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “I think it goes a long way … to have people know that the locker room is a place for everyone, and you’re going to feel included. As long as you’ve got a love for hockey, you’ll be accepted here. So, it’s awesome that they’re taking this initiative and it’s great to be part of a league that’s doing that.”

Roster report

The Hawks came out of their bye week two players lighter, as Vinnie Hinostroza and Gustav Forsling were left behind in Rockford. Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz were brought back after their cap-saving assignment to the IceHogs. With the trade deadline looming on March 1, the moves allow the Hawks to bank a little extra cap space each day while also giving Hinostroza and Forsling — both of whom were in and out of the lineup lately — a chance to play more.

“Some of it’s business; some of it’s hockey,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I know in the past, I can remember guys shuttling up and down here and Rockford between practices and game days sometimes for the business side of things. That probably was part of the decision there. [Forsling and Hinostroza] are down there, and no promises, but they play well, and we expect them to be a part of it.”

Rozsival returns

Michal Rozsival practiced on Friday, participated in Saturday’s morning skate and could play Sunday night in Buffalo. Rozsival suffered a foot injury when he blocked a shot in practice Jan. 25. Between the injury and healthy scratches, Rozsival has missed 12 consecutive games (including Saturday’s against Edmonton) and 25 of 28, dating to Dec. 13.

Even with the defensive pairings finally somewhat stable, Quenneville said Rozsival still figures in the Hawks’ plans.

“He gives us some depth on the back end, and he’s ready to play as soon as we put him in,” Quenneville said.

Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com

Twitter: @marklazerus