Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Overview
Ilya confronts Commissioner Crowell about his call to Troy Barrett and the league’s stance on activism. Shane joins, challenging Crowell’s minimization of queer players coming out. Crowell rebuffs them, prioritizing league image over advocacy. Despite potential repercussions, Ilya and Shane present a united front, strengthening their resolve.
Summary
After a dull All-Star press conference, Ilya Rozanov spots Commissioner Crowell and decides to confront him about calling Troy Barrett. Shane Hollander tries to stop Ilya, fearing fallout, but Ilya approaches anyway and raises concerns as Troy’s captain.
Crowell dismisses Ilya’s concern, framing Troy’s online advocacy as petty activism and insisting Barrett should focus on hockey. When Ilya references the accusations against Dallas Kent, Crowell reframes them as unproven, undermining Troy’s efforts and credibility.
Shane joins the conversation, asserting that Troy is using his voice to help people and doing what the league should do. Crowell argues that activism invites scrutiny of the NHL’s past, calls it unnecessary drama, and claims support for Scott Hunter while implying advocacy has limits.
Ilya and Shane press on, citing how other out players, Baldwin and Lundin, seemed pushed out of the league. Crowell minimizes their cases and suggests coming out “hardly matters.” Shane counters that it does matter. Crowell ends the exchange with a cold departure. Afterward, Shane and Ilya acknowledge the risk but agree they would do it again, reaffirming their solidarity.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa captain confronts the commissioner about Troy Barrett’s activism and stands firm against minimization of queer players.
- Shane HollanderSupports Ilya, challenges Crowell’s stance, and asserts that coming out and advocacy matter.
- Commissioner CrowellDismisses activism as league “drama,” minimizes impact of coming out, and ends the confrontation.