MILAN (AP) — The world of Olympic hockey is experiencing an unexpected cultural phenomenon.
A television series called “Heated Rivalry,” which follows the romantic relationship between two gay hockey players from rival teams, has captured the attention of both athletes and spectators, drawing new audiences to the sport and generating discussions about diversity in professional hockey.
The dramatic storyline centers on Canadian player Shane Hollander and Russian athlete Ilya Rozanov, whose passionate but secretive romance has resonated with viewers worldwide. According to reports, the NHL has experienced increased ticket purchases, suggesting the show’s influence extends beyond entertainment.
The series made headlines even before the Milan Cortina Olympics began, with lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie participating in the Olympic torch ceremony. Now, North American athletes and supporters are witnessing the program’s growing influence firsthand.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, competing for Team USA, acknowledged that teammates have been discussing the series in their locker room.
“Everyone is saying how great it is, I just haven’t seen it yet,” Werenski shared with The Associated Press following a 5-1 win against Latvia. “It’s definitely good for the sport of hockey. Whenever you can add more eyes to the game and have people talk about the game and talk about inclusivity, I think it’s just great for the sport.”
Fellow U.S. defenseman Jake Sanderson from the Ottawa Senators admitted he’s aware of the show but lacks detailed knowledge about it. When questioned about the timeline for an openly gay NHL player, Sanderson referenced Luke Prokop, who made history in 2021 as the first contracted NHL player to publicly come out while with the Nashville Predators organization, though he hasn’t yet competed at the professional level.
“You never know if that show (will) instill some confidence in some people,” Sanderson remarked, emphasizing that any openly gay teammate would receive complete support. “I don’t think we would treat them any differently. They’re our teammate, we love them no matter what, and obviously embrace them, absolutely.”
The television adaptation stems from Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel of the same name. Initially created for Canadian streaming platform Crave, the series achieved top ratings on HBO Max during its debut season and has secured approval for a second season.
Canadian Olympic team members appear to be among the show’s most enthusiastic supporters.
During the Olympic experience, competitors received potted plants as gifts. According to team press liaison Tara MacBournie, numerous Canadian athletes chose to name their plants either Shane or Ilya, referencing the main characters.
Canadian alpine skier Kiki Alexander extended this tribute further by sharing on TikTok that the Olympic village’s Canadian moose mascot had been dubbed Shane.
“If you know, you know,” she posted.
Adam van Koeverden, who won Olympic gold in canoeing in 2004 and currently serves as Canada’s secretary of state for sport, expressed enthusiasm for the program.
“We’re the perfect country to be having the conversation and be putting that art out there that I think is advancing the conversation on diversity in hockey,” van Koeverden explained to AP during the Games. “Hockey is for everyone and ‘Heated Rivalry’ makes it clear.”
The series debuted in Europe during January and has surprisingly succeeded in Russia, despite that nation’s restrictive policies toward LGBTQ+ individuals. Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the IOC permitted only a small number of Russian competitors to participate in the Milan Cortina Games as independent athletes, with no official team representation.
Spectators are also embracing the “Heated Rivalry” phenomenon. Calgary resident Kim Sweet, currently watching Episode 3, finds the storyline compelling.
“The show has me very intrigued,” Sweet, age 50, commented before entering the venue to watch Canada face Czechia recently. “How a very male-dominated sport has two guys having to work through the privacy of it all, and whether you ever want to come out.”
“It’s great having more eyes on the sport,” added Sweet, who identifies as “a huge hockey fan.”
California visitor Angie Campos attended games wearing apparel featuring the jerseys of the show’s protagonists.
Campos represents a new hockey convert attracted by the series, joining many others in this trend. Data from ticketing service SeatGeek indicates that weekly NHL ticket purchases increased by more than 20% following the show’s late November premiere, with no comparable increase during the previous year’s corresponding timeframe.
“The series didn’t just light up social media feeds, it may have sent fans straight to hockey games themselves,” SeatGeek stated in their January 16 analysis. “While it’s impossible to attribute all of this growth to a single show, the timing is hard to ignore.”
Campos drew parallels between her new interest and that of other “Heated Rivalry” watchers to the increase in female NFL viewership after Taylor Swift began dating Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce and attending their games.
“It just makes it a little bit more relatable and it has definitely opened eyes to a human side of competition,” she explained.
Hockey traditionally features intense physical play, occasional fights, and aggressive contact, even during important matches where penalties can be decisive. During Canada’s recent victory on Sunday, Tom Wilson from Canada and France’s Pierre Crinon both received ejections for fighting.
This masculine and combative atmosphere makes the ice rink an unexpected and bold backdrop for examining sensitive emotions around forbidden romance and societal attitudes toward male sexual identity. Throughout the NHL’s century-long history, no active player has publicly identified as gay.
While “Heated Rivalry” has gained tremendous popularity among female viewers, male audiences are beginning to appreciate its appeal.
At the Canada-France match, 20-year-old Christopher Ryan York said he had joined the growing fanbase. The show’s widespread popularity made it difficult to avoid, he noted, and he appreciates its role in creating new hockey enthusiasts.
“Anything to grow the sport, for sure,” he commented.
His father, 60-year-old Kevin York, hasn’t viewed the series but constantly hears about it in Alberta. He believes the program must be genuinely inspiring, citing the case of Canadian hockey player Jesse Kortuem from Vancouver, who left the sport at age 17 due to fears about acceptance and shared his coming-out message on Instagram January 13.
“Something has sparked in me (ok — yes credit to #HeatedRivalry),” Kortuem wrote. “I thought I would share because I want to speak to the athletes out there who are still in the closet or struggling to find their way. I want you to know that there is hope and you’re not alone.”
