Showing his true colors: Wild's Merrill a proud LGBTQ+ advocate

ST. PAUL -- Wild defenseman Jon Merrill and his fiancée, Jess Molina, have four daughters at home that have been dubbed the "Merrill Monsters." Merrill is alone in Minnesota right now, but the whole crew will be moving here in June, where the family will begin a new chapter here in the State of Hockey.
And when they arrive in full later this year, expect them to be advocates in the fight for inclusion for everyone in the community, specifically the LGBTQ+ community.
That's because they already are.

As part of the Wild's first-ever Pride Night celebration on Tuesday night when it played the Philadelphia Flyers, Merrill and Molina sponsored a couple of LGBTQ+ families with tickets to the game and an opportunity to connect afterward.
"It was something that means a lot to Jess and myself, to be inclusive of everyone else, especially in the LGBTQ+ community," Merrill said. "We thought it'd be nice to bring a couple of families that are a part of that community to the game and whether they've experienced hockey or not, just to be inclusive of them and make them feel like they can come to a Wild game or a hockey game in general and feel welcome."
Growing up in the sport, Merrill says he wants others to have the same opportunity to love the game of hockey just like he does, and not be excluded for any reason, no matter what capacity that is.
While a lot of focus is put on opening doors for all people to play the sport -- a noble cause, no doubt -- others often feel like they can't be themselves or feel comfortable even being a fan and watching from the stands.
That's something Merrill wants to change.
"It's really important to us, and I think sometimes in the sports world, homosexuality and people who are LGBTQ+, sometimes get pushed to the side and feel like they don't have a place in sports, and we feel like they should be welcomed in any capacity that they want, whether it's to play, watch, be a fan," Merrill said. "We feel they should be able to share in because it's something we love as a family in sports and we want to share it with others who love it."

Wild players wore special edition Pride sweaters during pre-game warmups and nearly every player on the roster was using Pride tape on their sticks to show support.
It's an initiative that has really started to take off in recent years, thanks to growing support from teams and the league, as well as the players inside the dressing room.
"Me, as one player, I can have an impact on the individuals that I interact with," Merrill said. "But to have the support of the league and most of the players in the league, you see the rainbow tape on their sticks during warmups, I think that goes a long ways towards making people feel supported here and in this game and in all of the sporting world. Whether they want to play or just be a fan, I think it's really cool.
As a newcomer in the Wild's room this season, Merrill said he's been heartened by the level of openness and inclusion he's seen from his new teammates, a group that does a lot more than just talking the talk. They walk the walk too.
"[We have] a bunch of good guys in this room, and good guys going beyond just being a good teammate to people who are like [them]," Merrill said. "I think the true definition of a good person and a good guy is being accepting of everybody and appreciating everyone's differences and celebrating them. That's why you see, every time we've had an opportunity to put tape on our stick, or whatever it is, you see the whole team in support of any cause and wanting to be a team that is a role model for everyone in the community."
And as a dad of four little "monsters," Merrill says passing those values of inclusion, opportunity and love are crucial parts of the way he and Molina raise their girls.
"I think that as parents, it's our responsibility to pass along that idea of inclusion and acceptance of all," Merrill said. "I think it's a huge responsibility, and it's a gift to be able to pass that along, to give another generation of my bloodline that mindset of including everybody and not passing judgement, just being accepting of all."
Photos by Brandon McCauley