When Luke Prokop steps onto the red carpet for the Canadian premiere of The Hockey Player in Edmonton tonight, it will mark another chapter in a journey that has already reached far beyond the hockey rink.
Filmed over more than three years, the documentary chronicles Prokop’s pursuit of the NHL. It also explores his personal growth, evolving family relationships and the experiences that have shaped his life since becoming the first openly gay player under NHL contract in 2021.
Ahead of the film’s Edmonton premiere and a busy week of media appearances, Prokop spoke with The Oil Rig. He discussed the documentary, the message he hopes audiences take away from it and why making a lasting impact beyond hockey remains just as important today as it was five years ago.
More than hockey
When Prokop publicly came out in 2021, he made it clear that his goal extended beyond simply continuing his hockey career. Reaching the NHL remains his dream. At the same time, he hopes his story can make a lasting difference for others navigating similar experiences.
Five years later, that perspective hasn’t changed.
“No, not one bit,” Prokop said when asked whether his view of that responsibility has evolved. “I really appreciate all the awards I’ve gotten in hockey, and that’s fantastic, and I hope to get many more. But being able to make a lasting impact outside of hockey on people’s lives is something that is truly special, and I don’t take lightly at all.”
That desire is one of the driving forces behind The Hockey Player.
Prokop hopes the documentary reaches people who may see parts of themselves in his story while also encouraging conversations that extend well beyond the hockey community.
“Hopefully with the documentary, I’ll be able to reach a few more people and hopefully share my story, and that can help them as well.”
That philosophy also defines how Prokop views the film itself.
“It’s not a hockey movie,” he said. “It’s a life movie.”
Watching the completed documentary gave Prokop an opportunity to reflect on his journey from a different perspective. Although the film follows his development as a player, one storyline resonated with him more than expected: the evolution of his relationship with his father.
“The way we speak to each other now is completely different from how I was growing up,” Prokop said. “Being able to see him be very vulnerable in front of the camera… it really means a lot to me.”
Five years of growth
The documentary spans more than three years, but in many ways it reflects a much longer journey.
Asked what stands out most when comparing the person he was in 2021 to who he is today, Prokop didn’t point to hockey. Instead, he pointed to his personal growth.
“I think I’m just a lot more confident in who I am as a person,” he said. “Before I came out, I was a pretty shy kid… I think I’m just more confident in myself. I tend to try to not care as much about what other people think of me now than I did before.”
That confidence has also helped him strike a balance between pursuing an NHL career and continuing to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I want to make sure that I’m standing up for my community and what I believe is right,” Prokop said. “But also making sure that I’m giving myself the best possible chance to make it to the highest level in this game.”
Prokop admits that balance is still something he thinks about consciously. He says he’s grateful to have people around him who help carry that responsibility. That support allows him to focus on his development as a player while still using his voice when it matters most.
A story for more than hockey fans
Prokop hopes the documentary resonates with young athletes who may see parts of themselves in his story. He also believes its message extends well beyond hockey.
For young people facing their own challenges, he hopes seeing his experience unfold on screen provides reassurance that they are not alone.
“I think they’ll be able to see the amount of love and support that I received from my family after coming out and the way that we are now,” he said. “I think that’s something that’s truly special.”
He also believes parents may take away something just as meaningful.
“I’ve talked about it before, but the dynamic between a father and son, or just parents in general, and the pressure they can put on their kids in athletics and how that might affect them.”
For Prokop, that’s what separates The Hockey Player from a traditional sports documentary.
“I don’t just think it’s a hockey movie,” he said. “It’s a life movie.”
A homecoming in Edmonton
The Hockey Player will introduce Prokop’s story to audiences across North America when it begins streaming later this month. Even so, there was never any question that Edmonton would host its Canadian premiere.
Growing up in Edmonton, Prokop dreamed of one day playing for the Oilers. Last fall, that dream became a little more real when he attended training camp with the organization before spending the season with the Bakersfield Condors.
“Being able to put on that jersey… I still watch Oilers games. I still am an Oilers fan. I probably always will be.”
Now, he’ll return home for a different milestone.
Unlike the larger, media-focused premieres elsewhere, the Edmonton screening will be surrounded by the people who have known him long before his story became known across the hockey world. That includes family, friends and others who have supported him throughout his journey.
“I’m going to have a lot of family and friends there,” Prokop said. “A lot of people that know my story have kind of grown with me throughout, and it’ll be really cool just to have everyone come to one spot and watch it all together.”
For someone whose story has always been about more than hockey, there may be no more fitting place for that next chapter to begin than home.
Follow The Oil Rig on social media!
