Ex-hockey Pro Thinks Heated Rivalry’s Success Could Pave the Way For the First Out Gay NHL Player

Heated Rivalry is heating up TV screens across North America, as the scandalous gay hockey drama heads into its final episodes of its debut season.

via: Pink News

Former hockey pro Sean Avery has said he thinks the steamy LGBTQ+ hockey show Heated Rivalry could be the key to supporting a gay National Hockey League (NHL) player coming out in the future.

The 45-year-old retired New York Rangers’ star has shared his thoughts on the show and the potential of closeted hockey players coming out.

Heated Rivalry charts the rivalry between Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Over the years of their competitive rivalry, they engage in a passionate but secret romance.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Avery shared: “I don’t know firsthand of any gay players past or present. That being said, I do think I must have had a gay closeted teammate at some point in my career.”

He also noted that “Heated Rivalry’s success should open the door for the first gay NHL player, if there is one.”

‘I don’t know firsthand of any gay players.’

Avery’s comments tie in with the sportsman’s long history of LGBTQ+ allyship. In 2011, he appeared in a Human Rights Campaign video to advocate for same-sex marriage.

Currently, there are no openly gay current or former players on NHL teams. However, in 2021, Luke Prokop became the first active player under an NHL contract to come out. Though he’s yet to compete in the major leagues, he plays for the minor league team, Bakersfield.

“I love Heated Rivalry,” Avery continued. “It’s the worst hockey show ever made, but the most incredible gay hockey show ever made. Sometimes I look away from the TV, it’s pretty graphic.”

Last week, Avery jokingly posted an ‘analysis’ of the show on Instagram. “I love this show,” he captioned his video.

However, he doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of the hockey being played. He pointed out some moves but also sarcastically questioned some of the decisions: “Notice the coach wearing shoes on the ice during practice… interesting choice.”

Many are happy with Avery’s comments, though some have said they’d prefer a different voice from the hockey world to speak on the show.

“No im glad it’s acknowledged by a player but did it have to be sean avery,” one fan wrote. 

Avery has been embroiled in several controversies throughout his career, both on and off the ice. He was suspended after making misogynistic comments, one of which ended his career at the Dallas Stars.

;Avery has also been accused of abusive behaviour towards his former wife, public records reportedly show his ex-wife filed a restraining order against him, which contained details of his alleged abuse of her.