Will they?
or won’t they?

That is question people are pondering this week. The Chicago Blackhawks have lots of gay fans, and the Blackhawks were recently invited to be a part of this years Gay pride Parade.

The Chicago Sun-Times lists  the progress thus far.

• To wit: At last check, the Chicago Gay Hockey Association  was still awaiting a reply to their invite to the Chicago Blackhawks — and the Stanley Cup — to join them at the parade.

• The buckshot: “We’re optimistic, but we know the realistic chances of, say, Patrick Sharp or Jonathan Toews joining us for the Pride Parade are slim,” said CGHA president Andrew Sobotka.

• The upshot: “But who knows . . . our goal of having some of the players . . . skate alongside of us in the Pride Parade was to really let the Blackhawks know that there is a strong interest in hockey within the gay community,” he added.

• The parting shot: “We would be honored to have the Hawks organization show their support by being there,” said CGHA member Tony Tiet. The invite is to all the Hawks players, coaches, broadcasters, front office personnel and even the Stanley Cup itself.

CGHA member David Stefanski told sports blog Puck Daddy  the following: ‘”The Blackhawks have never had a float in the pride parade as far as we know,’ he said. ‘They have a very good opportunity to reach out to a community that they wouldn’t reach.'”

UPDATE! 

Chicago Blackhawk Brent Sopel, his wife, his four kids, and the Stanley Cup will represent the team in Chicago’s Gay Pride parade this Sunday, the Sun Times reports.

Said President John McDonough, who is sending the cup from the NHL Draft in L.A.: “The power of the Cup is incomprehensible, and we recognize the importance of doing this. It’s important for the city and important for the franchise…The Stanley Cup has become the biggest celebrity of all. It has its own personality and charm. We will be proud to participate in the parade. And Brent Sopel is one of the truly great guys. To have the cup part of the parade is just another great part of the celebration.”

Sopel will be marching in honor of the late Brendan Burke, who died earlier this year in a car accident after breaking barriers in the hockey world by discussing his sexuality in Sports Illustrated with his father, Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke.
Said Sopel: “When Brendan came out, Brian stood by him, and his whole family stood by him, like every family should. We teach our kids about accepting everybody. Tolerate everybody, to understand where everyone is coming from.”

The Chicago Cubs will also have a float in the parade, for the first time, and Ernie Banks will ride on it.

Best Gay Chicago