Actor François Arnaud, known for his role in the popular Canadian series Heated Rivalry, believes that while the NHL has acknowledged the impact of the steamy hockey romance, there is a need for more genuine efforts to enhance diversity on the ice rather than solely leveraging the show’s success for marketing purposes.
Heated Rivalry, a romantic drama portraying the love story between two fictional professional men’s hockey players, has garnered significant success since its debut on Bell Media’s streaming platform, Crave, and HBO Max. The show, which has already been greenlit for a second season, showcases Arnaud as Scott Hunter, the closeted captain of the New York Admirals in the fictional Major League Hockey, engaging in a complex relationship with fellow players Ilya Rozonov and Shane Hollander.
Arnaud, a Montreal native openly identifying as bisexual, plays a pivotal role in the series as Hunter, who struggles with his identity and ultimately embraces it in a public declaration. As the show gains popularity, Arnaud has been fielding inquiries about the reception from hockey enthusiasts and the sports community.
Expressing his views on the NHL’s response to the show during a recent interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, Arnaud highlighted the league’s adeptness at capitalizing on the show’s theme. Notably, a social media post by the Boston Bruins featuring excerpts from a game against the Montreal Canadiens was emblematic of the NHL’s acknowledgment of Heated Rivalry’s influence.
Moreover, the Ottawa Senators have joined the trend by introducing jerseys inspired by the main characters of Heated Rivalry, prompting Arnaud to emphasize the necessity for the league to align its promotional gestures with tangible efforts toward diversity and inclusivity.
In a statement to CBC News, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the impact of Heated Rivalry in attracting new fans to the sport, underscoring the league’s commitment to inclusivity through initiatives like Pride Nights and the annual Pride Cup competition.
While Bettman lauded the show’s narrative as compelling, he acknowledged its potentially controversial content and emphasized the need for a balanced approach in engaging with it, especially concerning younger audiences. The NHL’s stance on diversity and inclusion has faced scrutiny, particularly following decisions related to supporting causes like Pride during games.
Canadian author Rachel Reid, the creator of the Game Changers book series on which Heated Rivalry is based, noted that the show reflects real-world challenges and reactions to LGBTQ+ issues within the sports realm. Highlighting the importance of creating welcoming environments in hockey, individuals like Cedar Osso from Ottawa Pride Hockey advocate for a more inclusive and supportive culture for queer individuals within the sport.
The impact of Heated Rivalry extends beyond entertainment, shedding light on critical societal issues and prompting conversations about diversity and acceptance in the sports community.