Actor François Arnaud, known for his role in the popular Canadian series “Heated Rivalry,” has expressed a desire for the NHL to focus more on promoting diversity within the sport rather than just leveraging the show’s success for marketing. Arnaud, a Montreal native who identifies as bisexual, portrays Scott Hunter, the closeted captain of the New York Admirals in the fictional Major League Hockey, where he faces off against Ilya Rozonov and Shane Hollander, two players who share a fierce rivalry on the ice and a deep relationship off it.
“Heated Rivalry,” a romantic drama series depicting the love story between two fictional professional male hockey players, has garnered significant attention since its debut on Bell Media’s streaming platform, Crave, and HBO Max in the U.S. Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter, navigates a relationship with Kip, an openly gay man, ultimately coming out publicly at a crucial moment.
Arnaud has been fielding inquiries about the reception of the show within the hockey community. In a recent interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, Arnaud acknowledged the NHL’s acknowledgment of the show but emphasized the importance of genuine commitment to diversity beyond mere references.
The Ottawa Senators have recently started selling jerseys featuring characters from “Heated Rivalry,” prompting Arnaud to call for substantial action from the league to support diversity initiatives in real life.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has praised the impact of “Heated Rivalry” in attracting new fans to the sport and highlighted the league’s efforts to celebrate the LGBTQ community through events like Pride Nights and the annual Pride Cup competition.
While acknowledging the show’s popularity, Bettman also noted that the content of “Heated Rivalry” may be considered daring for some audiences, underscoring the need for a balanced approach in embracing it within the league.
The NHL has faced scrutiny over its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with some incidents, such as the discontinuation of special jerseys supporting causes like Pride during pre-game warmups, drawing criticism.
Rachel Reid, the author of the “Game Changers” book series that inspired “Heated Rivalry,” emphasized that the series addresses real-world challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in the sports industry, shedding light on the need for greater inclusivity and acceptance in hockey spaces.
Beyond the fictional realm of “Heated Rivalry,” real individuals involved in hockey, like Cedar Osso from Ottawa Pride Hockey, continue to advocate for a more welcoming environment for queer individuals in the sport, highlighting the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and safety for all players on the ice.