Seattle Kraken assistant athletic trainer Justin Rogers became the first publicly out gay support staff member on an NHL bench when he posted a letter on Friday to the team's website speaking his truth.
Rogers titled the letter, "A Letter To My Younger Self," and he spoke about the pivotal moments along his journey that made him comfortable sharing his sexuality with his friends, family and now the NHL community.
Rogers wrote:
"Dear younger JR,
"Becoming the best you will take time and understanding.
"That knot in your stomach—the one that makes you feel confused, isolated, lost in the world—invisible to everyone but you?