While the National Hockey League has historically had a culture where openly LGBTQ+ players were virtually non-existent during their active careers, the landscape has slowly begun to shift through advocacy and retrospective disclosures. To date, no player has come out as openly gay while actively playing in a regular-season NHL game, though several players and figures have done so after retiring or within broader hockey ecosystems. Notable figures like Brock McGillis came out publicly after his playing days in junior and minor professional leagues, becoming a prominent mental health and inclusion advocate within the sport. Additionally, players like Luke Prokop, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators, made history in 2021 by publicly coming out as gay while under an NHL entry-level contract, though he has primarily played in the minor league affiliates rather than making a full-time established NHL appearance. The league itself has introduced initiatives like "Hockey is for Everyone" to foster inclusivity, though enforcement and participation in themed nights, such as Pride warmup jersey initiatives, have faced various organizational policy adjustments and complex player participation discussions in recent years. Overall, while representation inside active locker rooms remains sparse compared to other major sports leagues, the conversation around queer visibility in hockey has gained unprecedented momentum through courageous individual disclosures and grassroots advocacy programs.