I can see what you mean, but it didn't come across that way to me. Between his absent-minded mention of "maybe one day with the right person" and the "I can't" it seemed more like he just wasn't in a place emotionally where he could date anyone. Of course his reasons for being closeted and a lot of that whole emotional state stemmed from hockey, but that seems different to me than the more direct "can't date because hockey." But I think what's there supports either reading.
Re: Fic Discussion - When The Morning Comes.
I can see what you mean, but it didn't come across that way to me. Between his absent-minded mention of "maybe one day with the right person" and the "I can't" it seemed more like he just wasn't in a place emotionally where he could date anyone. Of course his reasons for being closeted and a lot of that whole emotional state stemmed from hockey, but that seems different to me than the more direct "can't date because hockey." But I think what's there supports either reading.