Television Drama Drives Unprecedented Interest in Ice Hockey
Ice hockey, traditionally celebrated for its bone-crushing checks and fierce on-ice rivalries, is currently experiencing a transformative cultural moment. This shift is being propelled by the groundbreaking television series Heated Rivalry, a hockey romance drama that has captivated audiences and, in turn, significantly boosted interest in the sport itself.
A Narrative That Transcends the Rink
The show, which premiered in late November, centers on the secret, long-term romantic relationship between two gay professional hockey players: Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov. This compelling storyline has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also served as a powerful gateway for new fans to discover the sport of ice hockey.
Data from the ticketing platform SeatGeek reveals a striking correlation. In the weeks following the show's debut, weekly NHL ticket sales surged by more than 20 per cent, a spike not observed during the same period the previous year. While multiple factors influence such trends, the timing of this increase strongly suggests the television series played a pivotal role in driving fans toward live games.
Players and Officials Acknowledge the Impact
The phenomenon has resonated within the professional hockey community. Zach Werenski, a defenceman for the US Olympic team and the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, noted the show's positive influence.
"Everyone is saying how great it is," Werenski told The Associated Press. "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."
Jake Sanderson, another US defenceman with the Ottawa Senators, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the show's potential to inspire confidence. He referenced Luke Prokop, who in 2021 became the first player signed to an NHL contract to come out as gay.
"You never know if that show will instill some confidence in some people," Sanderson remarked, affirming that any openly gay player would be fully embraced by teammates.
Cultural Resonance from the Olympics to Main Street
The show's influence extended to the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, where its stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, carried the Olympic flame. The Canadian delegation, in particular, embraced the series with enthusiasm.
Canadian athletes reportedly named their Olympic gift plants after the show's protagonists, Shane and Ilya. Canadian Alpine skier Kiki Alexander even shared on TikTok that the village's Canadian moose had been christened Shane, adding, "If you know, you know."
Adam van Koeverden, Canada's secretary of state for sport and a 2004 Olympic champion, praised the series for advancing conversations on diversity.
"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 stated. "Hockey is for everyone and 'Heated Rivalry' makes it clear."
Drawing New Demographics to the Sport
The series, based on Rachel Reid's 2019 novel and originally developed for Canadian streaming service Crave, became the top-rated series on HBO Max in its first season, leading to a renewal for a second. Its appeal has broadened hockey's traditional fanbase.
Kim Sweet, a 50-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, described herself as a lifelong hockey fan who found the show's exploration of privacy and identity in a male-dominated sport particularly intriguing.
Newcomers like Angie Campos from California attended games wearing merchandise inspired by the show, drawn to hockey for the first time through the series. Campos likened the effect to the influx of female NFL fans following Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce, noting it makes the sport "more relatable" and reveals a human side of competition.
A Catalyst for Broader Conversation
Set against hockey's rugged, machismo-filled backdrop—where fights like the recent ejection of Canada's Tom Wilson and France's Pierre Crinon are not uncommon—Heated Rivalry provides a potent narrative exploring forbidden love and male sexual orientation. No active NHL player has publicly come out as gay in the league's century-long history, making the show's themes particularly resonant.
The series has even become a surprise hit in Russia, despite the country's stringent anti-LGBT+ laws, and has inspired real-world impact. Jesse Kortuem, a young hockey player from Vancouver who stepped away from the game at 17 over fears of acceptance, credited the show in his coming-out statement on Instagram in January.
"Something has sparked in me (ok — yes credit to #HeatedRivalry)," he wrote, aiming to offer hope to other closeted athletes.
While initially popular among women, the show's appeal is broadening. Christopher Ryan York, 20, admitted he had "hopped on the bandwagon," pleased it was creating new hockey enthusiasts. His father, Kevin York, 60, noted the show's pervasive buzz in Alberta and its inspirational effect.
By blending high-stakes drama with themes of inclusivity, Heated Rivalry has achieved more than television success; it has ignited a meaningful conversation and driven tangible growth for ice hockey, proving that stories off the ice can have a powerful impact on the sport itself.
