The hockey world is abuzz with excitement thanks to the soaring popularity of the television series “Heated Rivalry,” which has captivated audiences and drawn fresh attention to the sport.

Based on Rachel Reid’s acclaimed novels, the series delves into the dynamic relationship and competition between two hockey players hailing from Canada and Russia, blending romance with intense rivalry.

Since its debut, “Heated Rivalry” has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, capturing the imagination of viewers in both Canada and the United States. Fans have eagerly followed the drama through all six episodes of its first season, making it a hot topic in the entertainment world.

Hudson Williams, who stars as the charismatic Shane Hollander, notes that the show’s influence reaches far beyond just entertainment value.

In a conversation with Andy Cohen on Cohen’s SiriusXM radio show, Williams revealed that the series has inspired several professional athletes who remain closeted to reach out to him, underscoring the show’s broader impact on its audience.

‘It’s definitely the people who reach out, somewhat anonymously, who are like, “I’m a professional player, and I’m still in the closet,”‘ Williams said.

Actor Hudson Williams says the popularity of ‘Heated Rivalry’ has led to professional athletes who are still ‘in the closet’ reaching out to him and the creative minds behind the series

The show sees Williams (R) play a Canadian hockey star who forms a romantic relationship with a rival player from Russia (left, played by Connor Storrie)

However, the dynamic in the show hasn’t been seen in the NHL – which has never had an active or a former player come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in its history.

Williams says closeted hockey, basketball and football players have reached out to him through Reid.

‘They’re reaching out to Rachel, our author, who will then relay these lovely anonymous emails, and sometimes they’re just reaching out privately through Instagram, and those are the ones that hit you and go, “Oh, so this is a fun show and it’s celebratory, but also sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerves.”‘

Sexuality in sports has long been a controversial topic – especially in men’s sports – but there may be no sport which has struggled more with LGBTQ+ inclusivity than hockey.

The NBA broke through the ‘rainbow ceiling’ when Jason Collins became the first male athlete in a major American sport to publicly come out as gay. Before then, John Amaechi came out after he had stopped playing in the NBA.

In baseball, there hasn’t been an active MLB player who has come out as gay. However, there are players who have come out after they finished their careers. 

As for the NFL, they’ve had dozens players come out of the closet after they retired from the league. Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to get drafted in 2014. In 2021, Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rusher Carl Nassib became the first active player to come out and take part in an NFL game.

But the NHL has been woefully behind the curve. The league has never had an active player come out as gay and play in a game – nor has it ever had a former player come out after they retired.

The closest the league ever came to such a moment was after Nashville Predators draft pick Luke Prokop came out. However, he has yet to receive an NHL callup and his contract with Nashville lapsed after last season. Prokop currently plays for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

Former NBA star Jason Collins (L) and retired NFL pass rusher Carl Nassib (R) are the only two male athletes to come out as gay while actively playing their respective sports

Hockey players have displayed allyship, such as through the use of rainbow tape

Among the many reasons for this is that the NHL has a rather draconian locker room culture that has been passed down through generations. 

While there is plenty of allyship in the league – which was seen when players lashed out at the NHL for banning Pride jerseys and rainbow tape two years ago – this has not led to anyone feeling comfortable enough to come out.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who has been long considered one of the best players in NHL history, and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, the best player of this current generation, have both expressed support for having LGBTQ+ teammates.

This issue is almost non-existent in women’s hockey. In fact, it’s become quite common for players on the Canadian and American national teams – who make up the fiercest rivalry in the sport – to date and even marry each other.

Both Sidney Crosby (L) and Connor McDavid (R) have expressed that they would support LGBTQ+ teammates if they ever made the choice to publicly come out

But the wave of new interest in the sport, thanks in part to ‘Heated Rivalry’, may pave the way for a change in perception of player dynamics and relationships in the NHL.

For now, it’s boosted interest in hockey – especially among women – as fans of the show bringing signs to NHL games which allude to moments from individual episodes.

The show, created by Jacob Tierney – the co-creator of the popular Canadian television sitcoms ‘Letterkenny’ and its hockey-focused spinoff series ‘Shoresy’ – has already been renewed for a second season.

It became the most-watched original series for Canadian streaming service Crave in the platform’s history. Rewards have been reaped for HBO Max, which acquired and hosts the show for the United States audience, as well.