Flyers players tuck in their jerseys in solidarity with Trevor Zegras after ‘tuck rule’ penalty
The Flyers came out for warmups Saturday looking a little different. We'll see if the NHL found it as funny as many in attendance did.
It may have been the preseason finale for the Flyers, but Saturday night had some spiciness to it — even before the puck dropped.
A majority of the Orange and Black’s players had their jerseys tucked into their pants as they flew out the door for warmups. Why?
» READ MORE: Trevor Zegras becomes first victim of NHL’s emphasis on jersey tuck rule vs. Bruins
The Flyers, known for being tight-knit, were standing in solidarity with Trevor Zegras two nights after he was penalized in Thursday’s preseason game against the Boston Bruins for tucking his jersey into his pants. According to coach Rick Tocchet after Thursday’s game, the Flyers were recently informed that the NHL would crack down on this equipment issue, specifically at the start of a shift.
“Yeah, honestly, I’m not going to really comment on that. I mean, he’s been doing it ever since he was a kid,” forward Owen Tippett said after the game Saturday. “I had to ask the refs about it today; there’s been times where my jersey’s tucked in, and I mean if we’re picking on that, then I don’t know. But yeah, we’re just having a little fun.”
Zegras was warned in the first period before being spotted, alongside Travis Konecny, an alternate captain, discussing it with referee Jon McIsaac after the opening frame.
“I started the game with it tucked; that’s how I usually play,” Zegras said Thursday. “Must have just went back down the bench and came out and forgot.”
His teammates didn’t forget what transpired. Captain Sean Couturier, alternate captains Konecny and Travis Sanheim, and Rasmus Ristolainen, Porter Martone, Alex Bump, Cam York, and Jamie Drysdale were among the players who either tucked in the back of their jersey or had the whole thing tucked into their pants as they skated around in warmups.
» READ MORE: Trevor Zegras posts Tom Brady picture on Instagram in response to viral ‘tuck rule’ penalty
The Flyers’ form of silent protest went viral and came after Zegras took to social media Friday to express his dislike of the new rule.
On his Instagram story, Zegras posted two pictures of him playing with a tucked-in jersey as a kid, and for his youth hockey team, the Mid Fairfield Rangers. He also posted a picture of Tom Brady and the “tuck rule” play against the Oakland Raiders.
“Just having some fun with it,” Drysdale said postgame Saturday. “It’s something, as I’m sure all you guys saw, it’s something he’s been doing for his whole life, and I think he rocks it.
“It was just us getting together as a team, and maybe one last time to tuck the jersey in. We won’t take a penalty like that during the year. It’s just get it out of the way and have a little fun with it. But yeah, that’ll be the last time.”
