Vigneault: I have no idea about 'outside world,' protests in other sports

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault was asked on Thursday about his thoughts on various professional sports teams refusing to play Wednesday night in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

"Listen, I'm disappointed to disappoint you again with my answer, but ever since we eliminated Montreal, the only thing that's been open in my room is my computer, to hockey games," Vigneault said Thursday, according to The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor.

He added: "I have really no idea what's going on in the outside world. We're in this bubble right now, I'm invested 24-7 on our team, working 20 hours a day, going through video, and preparing our group. I don't do Twitter, I haven't read a single sports article in I don't know how long, and I haven't read any type of article in I don't know how long."

The Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Each of the four teams involved in the two following matchups also refused to play, which led to the NBA postponing the matchups.

Multiple MLB teams and all WNBA teams chose not to play Wednesday, as well.

The NHL held a moment of reflection ahead of Game 3 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins on Wednesday to recognize Blake's family and denounce racial injustice. There was no such event prior to the later game between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, however.

Evander Kane and Matt Dumba, two members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, criticized the league Wednesday night for its "lack of action and meaningful change," in the wake of Blake's shooting.

Several members from the Bruins and Lightning said they had no idea about the walkouts until they arrived at the rink and didn't have time to discuss and decide if they, too, should sit out the game.

The Flyers are slated to take on the New York Islanders in Game 3 on Thursday.

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