Brock McGillis, a former OHL and semi-professional hockey player, has come out publicly as gay in an interview with Yahoo Sports Canada.

In it, McGillis discusses reasons why he decided to remain closeted for the duration of his career in North America and Europe, and opens up about the crippling homophobic culture he experienced in locker rooms and how it forced him to hide his sexuality.

"Hockey has always been very homophobic," said McGillis.

"I can’t count the amount of times I heard phrases like: That’s gay or what a homo in the dressing room over the course of my hockey career. Words like fag, pussy, and bitch are part of the daily banter. Those words are used to belittle players, to weaken and feminize them, because hockey is hyper-masculine, meant for the manliest of men."

McGillis said he gradually came out to his friends and family "without judgement," but stayed closeted professionally because he feared losing his career.

McGillis said he wasn't empowered to come out publicly until he spoke with Brendan Burke, the late son of hockey legend Brian Burke, who started the You Can Play organization to help end homophobia in sports.

Said McGillis: "Two days before his death we exchanged messages on Facebook and he wrote: 'I can’t wait until the day that you’re out like I am.'"

McGillis said he's decided to come out publicly now "to start a dialogue."

"If you are gay, lesbian or trans and playing hockey, know that you are not alone. Know that you are not the only one," he said.

"Know that I am here for you, the way Brendan Burke was there for me, because it gives me an immense sense of pride carrying on his legacy."