Meet Justin Rogers - The First Publicly Out Gay Support Staff Member on a NHL Bench

"Seattle Kraken assistant athletic trainer Justin Rogers became the first publicly out gay support staff member on an NHL bench when he posted a letter on Friday to the team's website speaking his truth," reported Bleacher Reports.

In a post to Seattle Kraken website entitled "A Letter To My Younger Self," he wrote:

"Dear younger JR,

"Becoming the best you will take time and understanding.

"That knot in your stomach – the one that makes you feel confused, isolated, lost in the world – invisible to everyone but you? It will slowly loosen. You don't even understand the knot, but with time you will learn things about yourself and fulfill dreams so many others like you feel they cannot.

"You will accept yourself as a gay man, creating a life authentic to you, while welcoming others into it. It won't be easy, and you won't do it alone. It will take time. The building blocks will start to take shape now as you enter your teenage years."

Rogers' journey has taken him from his hometown in southern Michigan all the way to the NHL, where he is now an assistant athletic trainer for the Seattle Kraken,.

He recalled to EPSN a pivotal moment during Christmas 2014 when he revealed to his parents, three brothers, and two sisters-in-law that he was gay. Inspired by a book he was reading at the time, he wrote down his feelings on index cards saying he was gay.

ESPN continues: "Rogers waited nine months after he told his family before telling his two best friends, who accepted him. Nearly eight years passed until Rogers had what he has described as an intentional conversation with someone about being gay. Kraken general manager Ron Francis was that 10th person. Sharing his truth with Francis opened a door for Rogers to feel comfort about being gay in hockey and wanting to share his story in the hopes it can help others."

"I think it was more at that point, he felt that it was kind of time to tell his story," Francis said. "I said, 'Let's figure out how to help you do that.'"

Rogers coming out comes at a time when the NHL is dealing with a LGBTQ+ image problem generated when the league outlawed pride tape on the ice.

"Outsports has learned that the NHL has issued a league-wide ban of Pride Tape on the ice with the players during warm-ups, games and even practices. A league spokesperson has confirmed this change in policy with Outsports," the LGBTQ+ sports news site posted.

"This is, as far as Outsports is aware, the most stifling, anti-LGBTQ policy any pro sports league in North America has ever issued."

Two weeks later, the NHL reversed the ban. "After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the NHL confirmed in a tweet.

This came just days after Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott defied the ban.

"Rogers' decision to openly speak about his sexuality, his journey and his need to help others inspired the Kraken to come together and deliver a message to Rogers that they hope to also share with others who identify as LGBTQIA+.

"It's to tell them they are accepted, loved, respected, supported and should not have to hide who they are anymore," wrote ESPN.