Ex-NHL Player and Sarah Palin's Partner Attributes Rangers' Defeat to Pride Night Promotion

Ron Duguay, a former New York Rangers player and current partner of Sarah Palin, took to social media to express his belief that the team's recent loss on Pride Night was due to “bad mojo” stemming from the event.

The Rangers faced off against the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden, ultimately losing 4-1. Duguay, who has been vocal about his opinions, shared his thoughts on X, stating he anticipated the defeat after witnessing the pre-game festivities.

“I didn’t want to say it before the game but I saw this coming tonight down 4-1 after the singing National anthem to [rainbow] flag to a small group, bad idea bad mojo,” he commented in a now-deleted post, which was later captured by other media outlets.

He further distanced himself from the entire Rangers organization, attributing the loss to “a select few college brainwashed kids pushing their agenda.” This remark sparked backlash from fans and commentators alike.

In response to Duguay's claims, Bleacher Report's Adam Herman pointed out that the Rangers have historically performed well on Pride Night, suggesting that the team’s struggles this season are simply due to their overall poor performance. “Maybe this year’s team lost because they lose most games,” he quipped.

While Duguay's comments drew attention, he is currently facing significant personal challenges, having recently revealed his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. His past as a player and analyst for the Rangers lends weight to his opinions, but many fans are questioning his focus on LGBTQ+ issues rather than the game itself.

Prior to the game, Duguay criticized the Rangers for distributing Pride Night pouches to the first 10,000 attendees, labeling it as “encouraging Transgender lifestyle” in a separate post that remained online.

His tweet read: “@NYRangers @NYR_PR @Delta supporting & in supporting encouraging Transgender lifestyle. Have you not been reading & watching the news??? What if a situation was to occur at the @TheGarden? What then?”

The NHL's initiatives to support the LGBTQ+ community have faced criticism in the past, but many players have openly embraced inclusivity. U.S. Olympic hockey star Jack Hughes recently highlighted this sentiment, stating, “The team I play for ... we really support that. We’re a really welcoming organization ... Obviously, with how we grew up, my family really supports that too.”

Duguay's remarks continue to stir debate among fans and analysts alike, reflecting broader tensions surrounding sports and social issues.