“He in that moment showed me a lot of support and told me the Predators are behind me 1,000% and want what’s best for me and that they’re proud of me during this,” Prokop told ESPN. He said he came out to Predators Assistant GM Brian Poile in June. In an interview with Kaplan, Prokop said he made the decision to come out in April, and began telling family and teammates over the next few months. Per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, no player who has appeared in the NHL-past or present-has done so. Prokop becomes the first active player under NHL contract to come out as gay. Here’s his story: - Pierre LeBrun July 19, 2021 It was the next step in a process he began last year. Luke Prokop had wondered how this call with the Predators would go ever since they drafted him.