This shouldn't be a big deal in 2016, but it is, and it has to be, because people are so woefully underinformed on this issue.
Also, I think an important thing to remember in this discussion is that gender and sex are two different things. I find it interesting that some (not necessarily in this thread) have had reactions to this story that directly contradict their stance on the bathroom issue. For example "I don't care what you identify as, match your parts to what's on the door and use the proper bathroom" vs "if he identifies as a man he should be in the NHL."