Ex-NHL Star Ron Duguay Blames Rangers Loss on Pride Night, Calls It 'Bad Mojo'
Former NHL star Ron Duguay has sparked controversy by attributing the New York Rangers' recent 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings to the team's Pride Night event. In a social media post that has since been deleted, the ex-MSG Network analyst described the promotion as a "bad idea" and "bad mojo," suggesting it negatively impacted the game's outcome.
Social Media Outburst and Deletion
Immediately after the game, Duguay took to social media to express his views, writing, "I don’t blame all of the Rangers organization. It’s only a select few college brain washed up, woked kids pushing their agenda on others in the organization." He later claimed that 70% of fans "wanted no part of it at all," advocating instead for family-oriented celebrations. Both the original post and a follow-up screen capture were removed by late Tuesday morning.
Pride Night Event Details
The Rangers, who are currently last in the NHL's Eastern Conference, hosted Pride Night at Madison Square Garden on Monday, offering a Delta Pride Night Pouch to the first 10,000 attendees. The event was promoted on the team's official social media channels, highlighting inclusivity efforts within the sports community.
Duguay's Personal Challenges
In late February, Duguay revealed he is battling Stage 4 cancer, with his family launching a GoFundMe campaign to cover treatment costs. They noted that expenses for flights from Florida to California, medical care, and alternative therapies have strained his finances. As of Tuesday, over US$128,000 had been raised to support his fight against the disease.
NHL Career Highlights
Duguay, a Sudbury, Ontario native, was drafted 13th overall by the Rangers in 1977. He achieved his best season in 1981-82, scoring 40 goals. After being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, he recorded a career-high 89 points in the 1984-85 season. Over his 12-year NHL career, which included stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, he played 864 games, amassing 274 goals and 620 points.
This incident adds to ongoing debates about the role of social and political themes in professional sports, with Duguay's comments drawing attention amid his personal health struggles.
