“Heated Rivalry” has taken the world by storm and quickly received a greenlight for season two before season one finished releasing. The Canadian Crave Original had no U.S. distributor until a month before the premiere. The show is about two hockey stars in the participating in the show’s version of the NHL and their rivalry as they fall in love. Although there isn’t much actual on-ice action in the show, it has increased viewership for the actual NHL and created more fans of the sport.
The NHL has a complicated and controversial history with the LGBTQIA+ community, and “Heated Rivalry” didn’t set out to change that but rather showcase a story for all athletes. The show demonstrates athletes may not be alone and opens the door for change in youth sports.
In the 108 years of the NHL and around 8,000 players over the course of those years, not one single player has been openly a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Luke Prokop, a player under an NHL contract, has come out, but hasn’t competed in the NHL yet. With the creation of “Heated Rivalry,” one would hope it would cause the NHL to be more of an open and inclusive place for people, but that may not be the case. The NHL has commented on the show, but rather than making a statement about the LGBTQIA+ aspect, it said, “...this might be the most unique driver for creating new fans.”
In 2023, the NHL banned all on-ice theme-night jerseys and gear during warm-ups. This was very notably an attack on the pride jerseys teams would wear, as afterward the league quickly backtracked on the gear regulations and allowed players to use pride tape during warmups. Those jerseys and theme nights would get the most backlash from certain fans and players. Although teams still host theme nights, they aren’t well-known or show the visibility that they did when the special jerseys were allowed.
While “Heated Rivalry” is fiction, the genre doesn’t stop it from being relatable to athletes. Former semi-professional hockey player Brock McGillis talked about how “Heated Rivalry” was his reality while playing hockey: “I lived the show, and when I saw the first episode, it gave me a dose of PTSD.”
Rachel Reid, the author of the book turned TV show, says she wrote the book and series out of “a love of hockey, but also my own conflicted feelings about all the bad things about the culture around the sport, especially the homophobia.”
The locker room in pro sports hasn’t and will not change rapidly with the creation of shows like this. “Heated Rivalry” director and creator Jacob Tierney says, “The NHL seems to function like the Catholic Church in terms of its insularity.”
This furthers the idea that the NHL isn’t open or ready for change. It could, however, prompt younger sports leagues and teams to create a more welcoming space for queer players and fans.
The world will always need more LGBTQIA+ romances that don’t end in either of the characters dying. The story also transcends the stereotypes of hockey players. It displays love and affection between athletes in an increasingly hyper-masculine sport.
The NHL may not be changing anytime soon, but “Heated Rivalry” definitely showcases some athletes' reality and opened the door for change, and this can begin in youth sports. By opening the conversation and no longer being tolerant of homophobic, sexist or racist sayings, hockey can truly be for everyone.
Cassie is a senior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
