MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Every athlete has days they'll never forget. From first goals to last games. But Milwaukee Admirals defenseman Luke Prokop's marquee moment came off the ice.
"It was a whirlwind; I didn't eat that day. Didn't sleep the night before," said Prokop.
Prokop came out publicly three-and-a-half years ago becoming the first openly gay player under contract by an NHL team. The response was immediate.
CBS 58's Scott Grodsky: "Are we talking tens of people, hundreds of people?"
Prokop: "Thousands of people…It was extremely positive. Almost to the point where we didn't know how big it was going to be or how positive it was going to be."
NHL MVP Auston Matthews reached out. So did Ellen DeGeneres. Prokop even got a call from Elton John.
Luke Prokop
"I remember when I got off the phone, my mom was in the living room and my mom started crying. He just congratulated me and thanked me for what I did," Prokop said.
What Prokop "did" is hopefully helping inspire young gay athletes. Giving them the role model he never had growing up.
"I couldn't really watch a hockey game, turn on the TV and say that that person was like that was me. It was tough not being able to fully bring yourself to the game you love, the game you want to make a career out of," Prokop said. "I wanted just to help one person, that was my goal. If I could help one person with my story that was worth it so seeing how far it reached and how many people it impacted was amazing."
It's reached all over the world. Sometimes as an inspiration, sometimes a shoulder to cry on, Prokop has connected with people from Australia to Europe. Canada to his own locker rooms.
"I've been able to be myself at the rink and I think it's changed a lot of their perceptions on the gay community," said Prokop. "I've had a lot of guys tell me that throughout the last three years. A lot of the guys have preconceived notions about what a gay guy is supposed to sound like, talk like, dress like and so for them to see I'm another one of the guys that has helped break some of those misconceptions."
For Prokop, the results speak for themselves.
"The summer that I did come out the following year was my best year in hockey statistically-wise. It just allowed me to come to the rink and not worry about the extra stuff that's going on. It allowed me to be closer to my teammates. They know everything about my life. They're able to ask questions and talk with me about it and joke around a little bit which is always fun. It brings a stress-free environment for me to come to the rink every day and put a smile on my face and go to work," Prokop said.
Prokop's steadily improved over the past few years carving out a permanent role with the Admirals. One step closer to another day he'll never forget. Hopefully becoming the first openly gay man to play in the NHL.