Actor François Arnaud, a key figure in the popular Canadian series “Heated Rivalry,” has expressed a desire for the NHL to go beyond just leveraging the show’s success for marketing and focus more on promoting diversity within the sport. Arnaud, a Montreal native openly bisexual, portrays Scott Hunter, the closeted captain of the New York Admirals in the fictional Major League Hockey.
“Heated Rivalry,” a romantic drama centered on the love story between two fictional professional men’s hockey players, has garnered significant acclaim since its debut late last year. The show, originally produced for Bell Media’s Crave streaming platform and also airing on HBO Max in the U.S., has already been greenlit for a second season, captivating audiences with the intense on-ice rivalry and off-ice romance between characters Ilya Rozonov and Shane Hollander.
Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter, navigates a relationship with Kip, an openly gay man, throughout the first season, culminating in a public declaration of his sexuality at a crucial moment. As the show gains immense popularity, Arnaud has fielded inquiries regarding the response from hockey enthusiasts and the broader hockey community.
Expressing his views during an interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, Arnaud commended the NHL for acknowledging the show but urged the league to take substantive actions to support diversity beyond mere gestures. Notably, teams like the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators have made references to “Heated Rivalry” in their promotional activities, with the latter even selling jerseys featuring characters from the show.
In response, Arnaud emphasized the importance of the league aligning its actions with the themes depicted in “Heated Rivalry,” emphasizing the need for genuine inclusivity and support for diversity. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has praised the series, acknowledging its impact on viewership and the league’s awareness of its content. However, he also noted the need to navigate the show’s bold content, especially concerning its potential influence on younger audiences.
Despite the NHL’s efforts to promote inclusivity, including Pride Nights and the Pride Cup competition, the league has faced scrutiny for its approach to supporting diversity within the sport. The series, rooted in real-world issues faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, sheds light on the challenges and discrimination queer individuals encounter in hockey spaces, prompting calls for greater acceptance and inclusivity within the sport.
