How ‘Heated Rivalry’ Inspired Queer Hockey Leagues

“Heated Rivalry” has hockey rinks heating up.

The smash HBO Max hit, about the romance between two rival professional hockey players, has helped key a wave of interest in the sport, with queer leagues enjoying a surge in popularity.

The show, which also debuted last November on the Canadian streamer Crave, has helped grow leagues like the New York City Pride Hockey Alliance, which features 400 players who’ve taken to the ice.

“I think having a space that is for the queer community — for joy, for giggles, for kindness — is so essential,” Ian McHale, who plays with the group, told TODAY in a story that aired June 24.

McHale was spurred on, in part, by “Heated Rivalry,” which has turned stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie into, well, stars.

“One other reason I wanted to join hockey is because I feel like it’s hot. Hockey’s just hot, it’s fun. And ‘Heated Rivalry’ just confirmed that,” McHale said.

The show, which has been renewed for a second season, connected with fans, with some deciding to lace up skates themselves, driving an increase in players suiting up for games.

“We had a scrimmage a week ago, I think, and I didn’t know anybody here,” team captain Kate McNicholas told TODAY. “I didn’t recognize a single person, and they were like, ‘Oh yeah, they’re all new players.’ And I was like, ‘What?’”

The Big Apple isn’t the only city to see a jump in players, either. Chicago Pride Hockey, which plans to start shooting a reality series soon after being approached by four production companies, has ballooned from two teams to five, with the potential for a sixth in the fall. “Heated Rivalry” is a central reason why.

“I think that was the final pushing factor — in motivating me, yes,” newcomer Mario Calero told TODAY.

Calero also said playing hockey has helped him and others become more confident. “It just permeates not only in our locker room amongst Chicago Pride Hockey, but into everybody’s lives that we’re able to interact with,” he said.

Hockey is indeed having a moment. “Off Campus” on Prime Video is another hockey romance taking off this summer, and Netflix also just greenlit another called “Icebreaker.” Plus, the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs were the most-watched in NHL history and year-over-year viewership among women jumped 63%.

Five years ago, Luke Prokop was 19 when he became the first pro hockey player to come out. A defenseman in the minor leagues, Prokop said other players rallied to his side.

“It’s been love, support, curiosity,” he told TODAY. “They’re asking questions. They want to know if I have a boyfriend, if he’s coming to team parties. It’s been awesome, and I think the NHL is ready for it, too.”

As for the queer community embracing the game, players like McHale continue to enjoy the experience. He sent a video of him scoring his first goal to his mother.

“My mom was like, ‘I feel so proud,’ and, like, ‘It looks like little kid Ian having so much fun.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s me.’ I feel like my little kid is shining when I’m on the ice,” he said.