Heated Rivalry offers reprieve for LGBTQ+ community and sparks conversation among hockey fans

Crave's Canadian series Heated Rivalry, which follows the love story of two gay professional hockey players, has become the platform's most-watched original and is prompting discussion across hockey media even as men's professional hockey currently has no openly out NHL players.

Heated Rivalry is a Canadian drama on Crave based on Rachel Reid's book series that follows the relationship of two closeted male professional hockey players. The series was written and directed by Jacob Tierny and includes Canadian talent such as Harrison Browne in its cast. It has become Crave's most-watched original series and has drawn attention from traditional hockey spaces and fan media. Coverage and reactions have ranged from podcast breakdowns to brief references from NHL clubs. Key points: - Heated Rivalry is a Crave series adapted from Rachel Reid's books and centers on two closeted male professional hockey players. - The series became Crave's most-watched original and has reached audiences beyond typical drama viewers. - The show has generated discussion in hockey media, including reaction content from the Empty Netters podcast and references by teams such as the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. - There are currently no openly out players in the NHL, and the league previously banned then reversed a policy on Pride Tape amid criticism. - Harrison Browne, a former professional trans hockey player who appears in the series, said the show has increased positive attention to trans people in sports and has raised his public profile. Summary: Heated Rivalry has given viewers a widely seen, queer-centred hockey story that many describe as a reprieve and that has opened new conversations among fans and media. The piece also notes enduring gaps in men's professional hockey, including the absence of openly out NHL players and unresolved institutional issues. Undetermined at this time.