Henrik Lundqvist: No issue with gay player

Henrik Lundqvist, who was one of many NHLers who appeared in a video for the You Can Play tolerance project last year, said today that he would have no issues with an openly gay player.

"If someone is gay, I hope he feels comfortable talking about it. I don't have a problem with it at all….A lot of times that's what it takes, just to talk about it and get it out there so it's not uncomfortable for people," Lundqvist said. "I hope everybody feels comfortable being themselves and just be the way they want to be, stop feeling any pressure when it comes to everything---religion or whatever it might be."

Lundqvist, who was born in Sweden, did say he thought Swedes were “more open-minded” on topics such as sexual orientation than in Canada or the U.S.

The NHL and NHLPA have joined to support the "You Can Play" initiative.