Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop came out publicly as gay on Monday, becoming the player under NHL contract to do so.
Prokop, 19, made the announcement on Instagram, saying he is "no longer scared to hide who I am."
"It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I could not be happier with my decision to come out," he wrote. "From a young age I have dreamed of being an NHL player, and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams.