WGN RADIO TRANSCRIPT

DEAN RICHARDS:

… And speaking of hockey, there’s only one story we want to talk about today, and that’s the marriage between Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. If you thought your signal cut out and you heard wrong, you didn’t: Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews got married over the fourth of July weekend. To each other. In honor of this momentous occasion, groundbreaking not only because they’re gay hockey players—but because they’re the first to ever come out while still a major part of their team franchise, we’re talking about that on the show this morning. We want to know how you feel about this; is this good for hockey? Do you even care? Let us know your thoughts. As always, call-in number is 312-981-7200. First on the line is Gary. Let us know your thoughts!

GARY:

I was awake last night when I heard this on the news and you know, uh, I think it’s, I mean, there’s no place for this in hockey. You don’t like to think any of your players are like that, you know? We hear stories all the time about how we should allow it but you know, when you’re in that locker room, the last thing you want to know is that two of your guys are gay.

RICHARDS:

But they married each other, so are you-

GARY:

Look, I’m just saying, they should have traded Kane and been done with it.

RICHARDS:

You’re of the opinion that Toews and Kane should have left this off the ice?

GARY:

No. I’m of the opinion that there’s no room for people like them in hockey. Get them off the team now.

RICHARDS:

Not sure Wirtz and Bowman would agree with you there, Gary. Their stats speak for themselves, surely.

GARY:

Well, obviously they’re great players, but they’re not a good fit for Chicago, you know what I’m saying?

RICHARDS:

I think our next caller might disagree with you there, Gary.

SHEILA:

Hey, Dean. I have to say I think it’s great what these two guys are doing. I’ve been taking my children to Hawks games for years and I’m pleased that they have such great role models to look up to.

RICHARDS:

What exactly do they have to look up to?

SHEILA:

Kane and Toews are coming out despite the potential public speculation. They play hockey—great hockey—but that doesn’t mean they’re free from scrutiny, the opposite in fact.

RICHARDS:

So they’re role models...

SHEILA:

They’re strong individuals facing scrutiny for having the audacity to fall in love.

RICHARDS:

So we have a trade demand, a love story—so we’ll take one final voice on this, Bendan. Tell us your thoughts on this union.

BRENDAN:

Man, I don’t care who they chose to shack up with when they’re off-ice, as long as they produce during games. If they’re putting points up on the boards, they can marry whoever the hell they want, in my opinion.

RICHARDS:

You sound like a guy who’s pretty confident in his assessment.

BRENDAN:

Just a guy who’s been with this team since the beginning. You don’t cast aside guys like Kane and Toews just because they want to go and get married, you know? They put this team back where it belongs: with a Stanley Cup under its belt. Ain’t nothing stopping me appreciating that; if they wanna get married, good on ‘em!