‘Heated Rivalry’ highlights LGBTQ2S+ representation in hockey with scenes filmed in Guelph, Ont.

Canadian hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Hudson Williams made his first appearance on late-night TV with Jimmy Fallon.

A new romantic drama from Crave is turning up the heat and shining a light on LGBTQ2S+ representation in hockey.

“Heated Rivalry” tells the fictional love story of two professional male hockey players who navigate a queer relationship in the shadows of a hyper-masculine sport. The show is an adaptation of a best-selling novel by Rachel Reid.

“Hockey has been probably the most masculine-portrayed sport in Canadian society for a really long time,” said Ann Pegoraro, the Lang Chair in sport management at the University of Guelph. “And to have this kind of a romance story portrayed inside the context of men’s professional hockey at the highest level will have an impact.”

With the portrayal of Asian-Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, Pegoraro said the show shifts conversations about inclusivity in sport culture.

“I know many people are working at shifting it in the grassroots, but it’s going to take a long time to trickle up to the professional level,” she said.

Programs like You Can Play are leading the charge — with a goal of making sure everyone feels seen and safe in sports.

“While the representation itself doesn’t change hockey overnight, it does change who feels welcome to step on the ice tomorrow,” said Ren Dawe, You Can Play’s education and programs director. “And I think that that’s really the biggest success of ‘Heated Rivalry.’”

The show also aims to bring community together.

“I think it really means a lot to LGBTQ+ fans who haven’t always felt welcomed by the NHL,” said Harrison Browne.

Browne stars in the series as Rozanov’s (played by Connor Storrie) teammate. Before he retired from professional hockey, Browne came out as the first openly transgender player.

“It was just a really validating process to be able to take place as just a man in society, post my hockey career,” Browne said.

Local connection

The theme of representation in the show isn’t limited to the queer love story off the ice.

Scenes from the show on the ice were filmed at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ont.

“It’s always great when you watch something on TV that resonates with you because it’s in your local community. I think it makes it mean more,” said Pegoraro.

Crave, which is owned by CTV parent company Bell Media, has greenlit the show for a second season. A release date has yet to be announced.

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