Actor François Arnaud, a key figure in the popular Canadian series “Heated Rivalry,” has expressed his desire for the NHL to focus more on promoting genuine diversity within the sport rather than solely leveraging the show’s success for marketing purposes. Arnaud, hailing from Montreal and openly bisexual, portrays Scott Hunter, the closeted captain of the New York Admirals in the fictional Major League Hockey. The series revolves around the romantic entanglements of professional men’s hockey players, including intense rivalries on the ice and passionate relationships off it.
“Heated Rivalry,” a romantic drama that debuted on Bell Media’s streaming platform, Crave, and HBO Max in the U.S., has garnered significant acclaim since its release late last year and has already secured a second season renewal. Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter, embarks on a relationship with an openly gay man named Kip during the first season, culminating in a public coming out moment.
Arnaud has been fielding inquiries about the reception of “Heated Rivalry” from both hockey enthusiasts and the broader hockey community. He emphasized the NHL’s adeptness at capitalizing on the show’s popularity but underscored the importance of the league translating this acknowledgment into tangible actions supporting diversity and inclusivity.
The NHL has acknowledged the impact of “Heated Rivalry,” with Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioning his binge-watching of the initial six episodes in a single evening. While lauding the show as a compelling narrative, Bettman acknowledged its potentially contentious content and the need to navigate how the league engages with it, particularly concerning younger audiences.
In response to the series’ themes resonating with real-world LGBTQ+ issues in hockey, Canadian author Rachel Reid, creator of the “Game Changers” book series on which “Heated Rivalry” is based, highlighted the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within the sport. The series delves into the characters’ struggles against societal reactions mirroring actual experiences within the LGBTQ+ community in sports.
Beyond the fictional realm of “Heated Rivalry,” there remains a call for greater inclusivity within hockey, especially for queer individuals feeling marginalized in traditional hockey environments. Cedar Osso, a skills coach with Ottawa Pride Hockey, emphasized the need for a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere within men’s hockey spaces to support LGBTQ+ individuals participating in the sport.