"Throughout my 13-year NHL career, I've been a practicing Christian, not just in name but also in how I live my life every day. My personal faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins, calls me to love everyone and follow Him. I harbor no hatred in my heart and strive to treat everyone I meet with respect and kindness. In this particular case, I am choosing not to support something that goes against my personal beliefs, which are rooted in the Bible, the most important authority in my life. I firmly believe that every individual has value and worth, and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be embraced in all aspects of the game of hockey."