Sharks’ Reimer knows refusal to wear Pride-themed jersey could have ‘consequences’

San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer knows his refusal to wear a Pride-themed warmup jersey at a home game over the weekend could have a negative effect on his ability to play in the NHL past this season.

“I mean, I think I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t something that crossed my mind, honestly,” Reimer said Saturday.

Reimer, citing his religious beliefs, didn’t take part in pregame warmups Saturday when the Sharks wore jerseys meant to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Reimer didn’t play but backed up Kaapo Kahkonen, who made 29 saves in San Jose’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders.

Reimer is believed to be the second NHL player this season to openly refuse to wear a Pride-themed jersey in warmups. Philadelphia defenseman Ivan Provorov, also citing his religion, skipped warmups prior to a Jan. 17 home game against the Anaheim Ducks.

But while Provorov is in the fourth year of a six-year, $40.5 million contract that pays him an average of $6.75 million per season, Reimer’s future in the NHL is uncertain. Now 35, Reimer is a pending UFA, as his two-year, $4.5 million deal he signed with the Sharks as a free agent in 2021 expires after this season.

A return to San Jose might not be in the cards as general manager Mike Grier has said that improving the team’s goaltending will be a priority this offseason. The Sharks entered Sunday with the second-worst team percentage in the NHL at .881.

Reimer said he took his playing future into account before he made public his position regarding the Sharks’ Pride night.

“This is not a stance that I was looking to make,” Reimer said. “I saw this happening and we started conversations almost a year ago with people in high places. Not because I’m ashamed of my faith, but because of certain consequences that could have for me or other people that feel this way. Those conversations happened, and here I am standing up for what I believe in.

“I’m sure there are people in management or ownership that won’t look favorably on this, and I get that, and I understand it and respect everyone’s right to think and believe whatever they want about me. But at the same time, I hope that there’s another handful of people in management and in ownership that respect me for standing up for what I believe in and that’s a big part of who I am.”

At least one former NHL executive said the Sharks goalie’s stance — in and of itself – might not adversely impact his career in the league past this season.

Gord Stellick, former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, said he didn’t necessarily agree with Reimer’s position, but added that other on-ice factors would likely play a role in whether the 13-year NHL veteran is able to continue his career past this season.

“I would be looking at James Reimer the goaltender,” said Stellick, co-host of NHL Network Radio’s morning show on Sirius XM. “There’s age issues, there’s other issues, whatever it may be. So I’d have to say right now, in my particular case, I wouldn’t see it as being a difference maker. But I can’t speak for the 32 GMs that matter.”

NHL general managers might also take into account the public’s reaction to signing Reimer, who has generally been well-liked and respected throughout his career.

Reimer could get a gauge on the public’s reaction to his decision as soon as tonight when the Sharks play in Edmonton. Reimer could get the start after Kahkonen’s loss Saturday.

Stellick, though, said he wondered whether Provorov was going to get booed extensively everywhere he went, “and it didn’t happen.”

On the ice, Reimer has been inconsistent at best this season as the Sharks, at 19-37-13, have plummeted to last place in the Western Conference.

Reimer enters this week with a 10-17-7 record. In 35 games, Reimer has an. 895 save percentage, marking the first time he’s had a save percentage below .900 in his NHL career.

For his career, Reimer is 202-165-60 with a .912 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average.

“The people that know me well, every team knows that I give my all every day,” Reimer said. “That’s part of my personal convictions, again, from the Bible, is to do everything with all your heart. When I go on the ice, I give it everything. When I go in the gym, I give it everything. When I go home, I give it everything.

“This is something that people might feel negatively about. But my faith in Christ is who I am and that’s what makes me the competitor and the loyal teammate that I am, too.”