The much-hyped Team Canada zip-up fleece worn by Shane Hollander in the popular hockey romance series, “Heated Rivalry,” has sparked a frenzy among fans since its debut on screens. Although not an official Team Canada product, the white zip-up fleece featured in the Sochi Olympic scenes of Episode 2 has garnered significant demand from enthusiasts. Responding to this fan enthusiasm, the show’s creators have teamed up with a Canadian apparel company, Province of Canada, to bring the iconic fleece to the market.
Province of Canada announced the forthcoming release of the fleece on its website and social media channels, in line with the desires of the show’s dedicated followers. While details regarding pricing and the official release date are yet to be disclosed, the Toronto-based clothing brand assured that this information would be shared once finalized.
Executive producers and co-presidents of Accent Aigu Entertainment, Jacob Tierney, and Brendan Brady, expressed gratitude towards the show’s fans for their overwhelming support, citing the fleece jacket as a top request from the audience. The partnership with Province of Canada aims to cater to the fervent fan base of “Heated Rivalry.”
“Heated Rivalry,” a six-episode series based on Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid’s steamy hockey romance series, “Game Changers,” has captured audiences worldwide since its premiere in late November. With a remarkable 400% increase in viewership on Crave, the show has been hailed as the streaming platform’s most successful debut. Additionally, it has gained international acclaim, being recognized as the highest-rated non-animated series acquired by HBO Max.
The lead actors of “Heated Rivalry,” Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, were recently announced as torchbearers for the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Games. The show’s immense popularity has even influenced official Team Canada accounts, prompting a playful response to fans’ enthusiasm for the fleece.
A Change.org petition advocating for the production of the “Heated Rivalry” fleece as official Team Canada merchandise received significant support, with the creators declaring victory upon the confirmation of a pathway for fans to acquire the fleece. While not part of the official Team Canada collection, the availability of a version of the fleece marks a triumph for fans eager to own a piece of the show’s iconic memorabilia.