by Reese Cassidy ’28 on February 5, 2026

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A&E - Film & TV

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On the ice, they are rivals. Off the ice, they are something the sport rarely shows, at least
until now. Heated Rivalry follows two professional hockey players whose fierce
competition on the ice contrasts with a secret queer relationship off it. Set in a sport
known for its physicality and tradition, the series explores the cost of hiding a core part of
yourself just to fit in. Since its release, the show has drawn attention not just for its
drama, but for the way it places LGBTQ+ characters front and center in a genre where
they’ve often been absent. In just a few months, Heated Rivalry has sparked
conversations about representation in sports media and shown what inclusion can look
like both on screen and in real life.

What makes Heated Rivalry stand out is that it doesn’t just include LGBTQ+ characters,
but makes them the heart of a high-stakes, complex sports story. Rather than pushing
their identities to the background or only framing them through struggle, the show
presents its leads as talented, driven athletes juggling a relationship alongside the
pressures of professional hockey. That mix of ambition, vulnerability, and romance has
struck a chord with many viewers, especially younger audiences who rarely see queer
characters portrayed as both respected and successful in sports. As the show’s popularity
has grown, so has its reach, spilling over from streaming screens into broader discussions
about belonging and representation in athletics.

The impact has been visible in the hockey world itself. Since the show premiered,
conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion in the National Hockey League have gained
more attention, both online and at arenas. Pride Nights, themed warm-ups, and public
statements of support from teams have drawn fans in ways some link directly to Heated
Rivalry. For some, the series opened the door to a sport they had never followed, but for
others, it finally reflected experiences that had long been ignored. These responses
suggest the show is not just reflecting changing attitudes, it’s helping push them forward.

The influence of Heated Rivalry has even appeared in arenas. At the Philadelphia Flyers’
recent Pride Night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, some fans said they came to their first NHL
game because of the show, wearing Heated Rivalry jerseys and cheering alongside the
crowd as the LGBTQ+ theme was celebrated. In Boston, the Bruins marked “Hockey Is
For Everyone” night by wrapping players’ sticks with rainbow tape and inviting both
LGBTQ+ athletes and players from inclusive hockey programs onto the ice for opening
ceremonies. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames incorporated references to the show into
their Pride Night, playing music from the series and highlighting donations to LGBTQ+
advocacy efforts. Across arenas, these events show how a fictional story can inspire real-
world action, making hockey feel more welcoming and accessible to fans who might
never have followed the sport before.

The impact extends beyond the ice to the show’s stars. Hudson Williams and Connor
Storrie have stepped into roles as public representatives for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports
and media. Most notably, they were chosen as torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympic
Torch Relay in Feltre, Italy, a symbolic honor reflecting their influence on fans and the
larger conversation around inclusion. They’ve also appeared in interviews, panels, and
public events discussing representation in sports, using their platforms to encourage
young athletes to embrace who they truly are. In this way, Williams and Storrie have
turned their roles into a platform and have become real-world examples of how
storytelling can inspire change in communities that have long been underrepresented.
Together, the show, the actors, and NHL initiatives have created a ripple across hockey
culture. Fans post videos and messages celebrating Heated Rivalry during games, often
highlighting Pride Nights or moments when teams spotlighted inclusion efforts. Social
media discussions and community events show audiences connecting the show’s themes
to real hockey experiences. By inspiring both fan engagement and league recognition, the
series demonstrates that on-screen representation can influence who feels welcome in the
sport—and how organizations signal that inclusivity matters.

Heated Rivalry shows that a TV show can do more than entertain; it can start a
conversation. By centering LGBTQ+ athletes in a high-pressure hockey story, it has
inspired fans, shaped NHL initiatives, and given real-life role models in Williams and
Storrie. Its impact proves that representation matters not just on screens but in arenas,
locker rooms, and communities where young athletes are searching for someone to reflect
their experiences. In just a few months, a story about rivals on the ice has become a story
about inclusion, visibility, and the power of seeing yourself represented.

by Meghan Mitchell '23 on April 20, 2023
Opinion Staff

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Opinion

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Fanfiction is a strange topic. When mentioning it, you’re bound to be met with a wide range of reactions, from “You write fanfiction too?” to “You mean that nerdy fiction that tweens write?” As someone who has been in the fanfiction community for quite a while, I have seen my fair share of both well-written stories with in-depth characters and vivid world-building… and fiction that reads like it was written by twelve-year-olds who forgot spell check exists. Regardless, even the worst writers improve as they age, honing their writing skills and eventually creating something worth hyper-fixating on. However, despite the harmless fun of writing about characters of certain fandoms, many people still disregard fanfiction as a childish hobby. What these people fail to realize is that fanfiction does matter, for a variety of reasons. 

The first is fan interaction. It seems like certain fandoms such as Harry Potter, Supernatural, and even Twilight just won’t die despite their stories concluding years ago. That is mainly due to the number of dedicated fans still writing and reading about these characters. While the stories aren’t written by the authors of the original source material, fan interpretations can either be a refreshing look at a character or be so similar to the author’s work that it’s hard to tell the difference. Just because the main story is over doesn’t mean it has to stop for readers. In addition, fanfiction can be used as a creative outlet and allow people to become better writers. 

Writing can also be therapeutic. Sometimes people will write a character with whom they feel a connection in a situation similar to one that they are currently experiencing, to better cope with the event. This is an example of what someone would call a comfort character. As strange as it may sound, doing this can be a real benefit to people as it helps them feel less alone in whatever situation they are facing. 

The last issue is the judgment fanfiction writers face. Fanfiction writers get called childish or face mocking because of the stereotype of it being something only tween girls do. To this, I ask: why do people care so much about what someone does in their free time? There are worse things people can do than writing stories about fictional characters. It’s also not like fanfiction is anything new; some classic literary works we read in Civ, such as Dante’s Inferno, could be considered fanfiction. It keeps people creative, and some of the best storytellers of the modern era got their start by writing fanfiction. It allows people to connect and form bonds in ways they wouldn’t be able to normally. It’s an experience unlike any other, and instead of being scorned, it should be encouraged to allow people to dream and be creative with the characters they love.

by Chelsea Adonteng '25 on April 20, 2023
Opinion Staff

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Opinion

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Regarded by many as a popular music icon with over 90 million records sold worldwide, Ariana Grande has been in the limelight since she was 13 years old performing on Broadway. With time comes experience, and Grande is well aware of the public scrutiny that accompanies fame and fortune. Recently, Grande posted a short video to TikTok addressing people’s overwhelming concern about her body. In it, she addressed how people often compare her current body to the body she used to have, which she mentioned was during a period of her life when she was at her lowest and unhealthiest. While Grande doesn’t owe her audience an explanation, the fact that such a successful artist felt the need to record an explanation is something that her audience should contemplate. 

Living as a celebrity and even living as a human being in general brings judgment, whether it be from other people through a screen or from people in one’s daily life, especially in a time where all people have some form of social media, leaving them vulnerable to negative comments regarding their appearance. While the Internet has proven itself to be a positive place where people can come together to discuss shared interests and learn about situations around the world, there’s also plenty of evidence to show how people often feel comfortable body-shaming other people because of the confidence they get from being behind a screen. 

Ariana puts it perfectly when she says, “People need to be gentler about commenting on other people’s bodies.” No one is entitled to speak about other people’s physical characteristics, especially when they are unaware of the journey that person has taken to get to the stage of life they’re currently in. Even though celebrities share a large portion of their lives with the media, people need to remember that it doesn’t give them the ability to speak on their personal business or comment on their appearance without knowing what they’re going through physically and mentally, simply because they seem so open. 

Every person’s journey with their body is different, and that journey affects them in different ways, good and bad. Even if a comment might be well-intentioned, focusing on people’s bodies reinforces the idea that one’s physical characteristics are a defining factor to who they are, when in reality, one’s character is just as important. Instead of commenting on people’s appearances, people should work to give comments that aren’t appearance-based and praise other beautiful attributes, such as their creativity or their resilience. Positive compliments about a person’s good qualities can brighten someone’s day, rather than a compliment about appearance, which can be hurtful to one’s self-esteem.