How Heated Rivalry sparked boom in ice hockey ticket sales

Ice hockey knows all about big hits and the sport is currently riding the waves of TV’s hottest show CultureTV & RadioNewsHow Heated Rivalry sparked boom in ice hockey ticket salesIce hockey knows all about big hits and the sport is currently riding the waves of TV’s hottest showFernanda Figueroa & Ken MaguireTuesday 17 February 2026 09:38 ESTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverHeated Rivalry director explains the importance of sex scenesYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreIce hockey, a sport synonymous with powerful checks and intense rivalries, is now experiencing a different kind of impact, thanks to a groundbreaking television series. Heated Rivalry, a hockey romance drama, centres on the secret, long-term relationship between two gay players from opposing teams – Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov.This steamy connection has not only captivated viewers but has also drawn new audiences to the sport itself, with one estimate suggesting a notable boost in NHL ticket sales. The show's influence was palpable even before the Milan Cortina Olympics, where co-stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie carried the Olympic flame, and its ripple effect continues to be felt by athletes and fans across North America and beyond.The phenomenon has certainly caught the attention of professional players. Zach Werenski, a defenceman for the US team and the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, confirmed the series has been a topic of conversation in the locker room. "Everyone is saying how great it is, I just haven’t seen it yet," 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 playing for the Ottawa Senators, acknowledged hearing about the show. When asked about the prospect of an openly gay player in the NHL, Sanderson referenced Luke Prokop, who in 2021 became the first player signed to an NHL contract to come out, though he has yet to play in the league. open image in galleryOttawa Senators jerseys with the names of Hollander and Rozanov, hang in the Senators' official store beside the jerseys of Senators players, including captain Brady Tkachuk, before an NHL hockey game ((Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP, File))"You never know if that show (will) instill some confidence in some people," Sanderson remarked, adding that any openly gay player would be fully embraced by teammates. "I don’t think we would treat them any differently. They’re our teammate, we love them no matter what, and obviously embrace them, absolutely."Based on Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel, the TV adaptation, initially developed for Canadian streaming service Crave, became the top-rated series on HBO Max in its first season and has since been renewed for a second.Its biggest champions at the Olympics appear to be the Canadian delegation. Tara MacBournie, their lead press liaison, noted that many Canadian athletes, gifted potted plants as part of the Olympic experience, named them Shane or Ilya. Canadian Alpine skier Kiki Alexander took her admiration further, sharing on TikTok that the village’s Canadian moose had been christened Shane, adding, "If you know, you know."open image in galleryConnor Storrie, left, and Hudson Williams in ‘Heated Rivalry’ (HBO)Adam van Koeverden, a 2004 Olympic canoeing champion and now Canada's secretary of state for sport, is also a fan. "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 told AP at the Games. "Hockey is for everyone and ‘Heated Rivalry’ makes it clear."The series, which launched in Europe in January, has even become a surprise hit in Russia, despite the country's stringent anti-LGBT+ crackdowns. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, the IOC has permitted only a handful of Russian athletes to compete at the Milan Cortina Games as neutral individuals, with no national teams.Beyond the athletes, "Heated Rivalry" is also draw