National Hockey League joins Spirit Day effort

The National Hockey League has joined GLAAD, the You Can Play Project and millions of Americans by wearing purple for Spirit Day on Thursday.

Spirit Day takes a stand against bullying while showing support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Supporters wear purple or go purple online to help create a world where LGBT youth are celebrated and accepted. The League is also joining the social campaign to promote awareness of the challenges faced in the LGBT community.

You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes without regard to sexual orientation. It works to guarantee that athletes are provided a fair chance to compete, and are judged by other athletes and fans only by what they contribute to the sport or their team's success. Its mission is to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete's skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.

Below is a collection of NHL and team tweets in support of Spirit Day:

"It shouldn't take courage to go into your own locker room." -@MattHendy26's #YouCanPlay message. http://t.co/kZq1XFEUrM #SpiritDay

— NHL (@NHL) October 17, 2013

#FlaPanthers join @glaad and @YouCanPlayTeam in going purple for #SpiritDay to stand against bullying http://t.co/fJEJdCjSYP

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 17, 2013

Stand against bullying! Wear purple and make your profile pic purple for #SpiritDay 10/17 at http://t.co/0Fq2Hx6pvn #LGBT

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 17, 2013

We've turned our Twitter icon purple today in support of #SpiritDay. Learn more at http://t.co/iOfXoiQB7c

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 17, 2013

We've gone purple for #SpiritDay! Take a stand against bullying & support @YouCanPlayTeam: http://t.co/xP0MuRkORC

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 17, 2013

We've gone purple for #SpiritDay! Support @YouCanPlayTeam & @glaad to take a stand against bullying today & every day http://t.co/BurTF3AvhA

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 17, 2013

#NHLDucks fans, today is #SpiritDay and you can help support the @YouCanPlayTeam and @glaad. Find out how here: http://t.co/J5uCCN8KQp

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) October 17, 2013

The #Isles proudly show their support for the @YouCanPlayTeam & #SpiritDay - http://t.co/MIHUKrCQr6

— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) October 17, 2013

Nous changeons nos couleurs pour le #SpiritDay! Soyez contre l'intimidation, montrez votre soutien à @YouCanPlayTeam. http://t.co/28H9E9nv5o

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 17, 2013

#CBJ join @glaad and @YouCanPlayTeam in going purple for #SpiritDay to stand against bullying!

— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 17, 2013

Today is #SpiritDay! Take a stand against bullying & support @YouCanPlayTeam by wearing purple today! http://t.co/lOjToLd4jq

— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) October 17, 2013

#NYR joining @YouCanPlayTeam & @glaad by going purple for #SpiritDay! Take a stand against bullying today & every day http://t.co/3NMQ2zcFme

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2013