Los Angeles, January 7, 2026 – Hudson Williams, star of the hit LGBTQ+ hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, revealed that several closeted professional athletes have contacted himself and author Rachel Reid to share their experiences. The Canadian actor, who portrays Shane Hollander, discussed the phenomenon during an upcoming interview on Andy Cohen Live on Sirius XM.
The HBO Max series, which also streams in Canada on Crave, follows the secret romance between two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), as they navigate careers in the highly competitive sports world.
Closeted Athletes Reach Out
Williams described receiving messages from current hockey, football, and basketball players who remain closeted, emphasizing the profound impact the series is having on viewers:
“It’s definitely the people who reach out somewhat anonymously who are like, ‘I’m a professional player and I’m still in the closet,’” Williams said.
He noted that many messages are relayed through Reid, who receives emails and Instagram messages from players seeking anonymity. Williams added:
“Those ones are the ones that really just kind of hit you and go, ‘Oh, so this is a fun show, and it’s celebratory, but also sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerve.’”
Heated Rivalry’s Success
The first season of Heated Rivalry concluded in December 2025 to critical acclaim, prompting Crave to announce a second season following the show’s success in the United States. The series is adapted from Reid’s Game Changers book series, part of the growing LGBTQ+ hockey romance genre.
The story centers on the intense rivalry-turned-romance between Canadian hockey superstar Shane Hollander and Russian phenom Ilya Rozanov. Their journey explores the pressures of professional sports, the challenges of coming out, and the emotional depth of LGBTQ+ relationships in a competitive arena.
Reid praised the show’s reception, writing in Macleans:
“It was unlikely that this show would become a runaway hit, but I’m glad people are enjoying it so much. I hope the success of Heated Rivalry encourages publishers to not only seek out queer romances, but to promote them far and wide.”
Impact on the Hockey World
The popularity of Heated Rivalry has sparked conversations in the professional hockey community about LGBTQ+ representation. Retired hockey player and advocate Brock McGillis expressed cautious optimism, noting that the sport’s homophobic culture can make coming out risky for active players.
To date, there has never been an openly gay NHL player. Luke Prokop, formerly under contract with the Nashville Predators organization, remains one of the few openly gay players in professional hockey but has yet to play in the NHL. Prokop shared with The New York Times that while his experiences have been positive, he remains careful about how openly he discusses his sexuality, citing potential team concerns.
Why Heated Rivalry Resonates
Williams explained that the series resonates because it combines romance, sports drama, and authentic LGBTQ+ experiences. The reach of the show goes beyond entertainment; it creates safe spaces for athletes and fans alike to reflect on personal experiences and consider coming out in private.
“It’s fun and celebratory,” Williams said. “But sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerve, and that’s a really special thing for a show to do.”
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