Heated Rivalry, the viral queer ice hockey romance that hit our screens in November, might be doing more than just capturing hearts and winning over hockey fans. With increased attendance at NHL games in North America and interest in the sport in Australia spiking, the power of inclusive and diverse storytelling in a sport setting is showing the industry a new playbook.
Based on a book series by the Nova Scotian romance author Rachel Reid, the rivals-to-lovers tale of two fictional ice hockey players – Canada’s Shane Hollander and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov – explores queer love and acceptance in men’s professional sport.
