St. Louis Blues will host ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ night … while team plays on road

The St. Louis Blues are holding their first "Hockey is for Everyone" event later this month. For fans heading to the Enterprise Center that night, there won't be any action on the ice — they'll have to watch on the big screen.

The defending Stanley Cup champions will be playing the Capitals in Washington on March 24, the day of the event meant to promote inclusiveness and diversity in the NHL. It will leave the Blues as the only NHL team to hold its celebration of diversity while the team is on the road. 

The Blues are also one of two NHL teams to not host an LBGTQ event this year, according to ESPN. They did, however, schedule a "Star Wars Night," "'90s Night," "Soccer Night" and "Cardinals Night."

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A general view at the Blues' Enterprise Center during the 2019 playoffs. (Photo: Billy Hurst, USA TODAY Sports)

"Due to unprecedented ticket demand and sales following last season’s success, we weren’t able to execute as many ticket promotions as we have in the past," Blues vice president of media and brand communications Mike Caruso told For The Win. "However, instead of foregoing Hockey Is For Everyone completely, we wanted to brainstorm ways to continue its application. That is where the idea of a watch party came in. This allows us to open the entire building – over 18,000 seats – for the event, instead of having just a couple hundred available for a home game." 

Caruso said the decision to not have a "Pride Night" is a result of wanting everything under the "Hockey Is For Everyone" umbrella to promote full inclusion — "night or event to recognize all walks of life no matter the sex, race, religion, sexual orientation or physical or mental handicap," Caruso said.

The NHL declined comment when contacted by ESPN.

Proceeds from the event will benefit participating organizations, with more than 20 groups signed up, per the team.

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