Actor François Arnaud, known for his role in the popular Canadian series “Heated Rivalry,” has expressed his desire for the NHL to focus more on promoting diversity within the sport rather than solely leveraging the show’s success for marketing. The romantic drama, which revolves around a 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., with a second season already confirmed.
François Arnaud, a Montreal native who openly identifies as bisexual, portrays Scott Hunter, the closeted captain of the New York Admirals in the fictional Major League Hockey. The series delves into the intense rivalry and passionate relationship between Hunter, Ilya Rozonov, and Shane Hollander. Throughout the first season, Hunter struggles with his sexuality but eventually comes out publicly, marking a pivotal moment in the storyline.
Arnaud has been fielding inquiries about the reception of the show within the hockey community. He emphasized the need for the NHL to go beyond surface-level acknowledgments and actively embrace diversity. Arnaud specifically mentioned the league’s recent nods to “Heated Rivalry” and called for substantive backing of inclusivity initiatives in real life.
Acknowledging the impact of the show, the NHL stated that “Heated Rivalry” has attracted new fans to the sport, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity through events like Pride Nights and the annual Pride Cup competition. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman shared his admiration for the series, noting its appeal to a broad audience while acknowledging the need to balance its content for varying viewers.
Despite the positive reception of “Heated Rivalry,” the NHL has faced criticism for its approach to diversity and inclusion, especially concerning its policies on supporting social causes. The league’s decision to discontinue special jerseys for theme nights, including Pride events, drew scrutiny from advocates for LGBTQ+ representation in the sport.
The series, based on Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” books, addresses real-world LGBTQ+ issues in the context of professional hockey. The characters’ experiences reflect the challenges and prejudices that queer individuals encounter, both within the sport and beyond. The depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships in “Heated Rivalry” has resonated with audiences, sparking conversations about inclusivity in the hockey community.
