Heated Rivalry TV drama sparks new wave of ice hockey fans

Fans of streaming hit Heated Rivalry have discovered a new obsession - the high-octane sport at the heart of the TV drama.

The six-part series centres around two professional ice hockey players in a secret relationship - Canada's Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russia's Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

Since its release in the UK on 11 January, the show has led to a wave of first-time fans flooding into ice rinks from Dumfries to Glasgow.

Nichola McCabe, from Hamilton, says the show has quickly taken over her life.

The drama on screen led to curiosity about the sport itself and she was shocked to find out one of the biggest teams in Scotland played at a nearby shopping centre.

"When we found out the rink was inside Braehead Shopping Centre we could not believe it," the 23-year-old said.

"It's literally on our doorstep."

Nichola and her friend Maddy Brew bought tickets for the next Glasgow Clan home game.

"When we first stepped into the arena it was incredible," she said.

"We had such a good time we asked our friends to go to the next game which was the Pride night but we couldn't even get four tickets together.

"It just shows you how popular it is."

Pride Nights in hockey are themed game nights hosted by teams to promote inclusivity, celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and ensure the sport is welcoming to all.

These events typically feature rainbow-coloured branding, special warm-up tops and community partnerships.

Heated Rivalry is based on a 2019 gay sports romance novel by Canadian author Rachel Reid.

Reid, an ice hockey enthusiast, started writing fan fiction in the sport romance genre before her stories became bestsellers.

Laura McCloskey, from Renfrewshire, fell in love with the books last year and started going to ice hockey matches in September.

And since then she hasn't missed a Paisley Pirates home game.

Laura said: "Turns out I really like watching men smash each other up on the ice.

"When I read the books it really enticed me to want to go.

"My first game was so surreal, because I couldn't see the players properly.

"I imagined they were my own characters on the ice which was quite fun."

She says the event lived up to her expectations and much more.

"I didn't expect to fall in love with the sport but going to ice hockey and supporting the Paisley Pirates has become a weekly ritual," Laura added.

At the Braehead Arena, on the outskirts of Glasgow, Laura has noticed the influx of new fans - mostly female and wearing Heated Rivalry merchandise.

"I have an Ilya Rosanov jumper that I wear to the games," she said.

"My book club has just read Heated Rivalry too and they are interested in taking everyone along to a game.

"The hype is definitely growing. I have even started learning to ice skate after all of this."

But it is not only the sporting aspect that has attracted viewers.

The show's positive representation of LGBTQ+ athletes has also been praised.

There are currently no players in the American top-tier National Hockey League (NHL) who are openly gay, although the sport does have more elite LGBTQ+ representation at other levels than many others.

Georgia Grainger, who runs a popular TikTok account, brought people together for watch parties.

The 30-year-old's first game saw the Caledonia Steel Queens take on the Solway Shark Ladies.

The Pride Night clash on 25 January was held at Murrayfield Ice Arena in Edinburgh.

Georgia said: "I'm not that sporty but I grew up in a rugby family, so I think I was attracted to the full impact aspects of ice hockey - like the fights between players."

From hosting streaming events at the Three Sisters pub in the capital, a splinter group has formed and they now attend ice hockey games together.

"Everyone has been looking for something positive to focus on," Georgia said.

"I'm so pleased it has transformed into people supporting their local teams and brought so many people together."

Rebecca Thompson, media manager of Kirkcaldy-based Fife Flyers, has also noted an increase in fans from the show.

"Anecdotally, we've noticed on TikTok that a number of fans have been posting about attending ice hockey games for the first time after watching Heated Rivalry," she said.

The club recently apologised after it decided not to wear specially-designed rainbow jerseys for a match celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

In a pre-match social media post, the team said the Pride-themed jerseys would only be worn during the warm-up to respect its players' beliefs.

The following day the team acknowledged the "hurt and disappointment" that came as a result of the decision.

The Paisley Pirates, who are also based at the Braehead Arena, said there was a "really nice" coincidence of new fans coming to games with the rise in popularity of Heated Rivalry.

Calum Wilson, the club's commercial manager, told BBC Scotland News: "There's been a noticeable uptick in first-time attendees who are clearly discovering the sport through the show and book series.

"We've also spotted fans at games wearing Heated Rivalry–related merch, which has been a bit of a giveaway and a great conversation starter.

"It's been brilliant to see that crossover happening so visibly in the stands."

Glasgow Clan has also tapped into the hype by playing music from the show at its games.

Delighted fans have then shared their experience of enjoying the game for the first time on Tik Tok.

The club said it had seen "a small increase" in female spectators over the festive period.

Marketing manager Laura Paterson said: "They keep coming back because the Clan offers a safe, inclusive environment, and because live ice hockey is actually pretty amazing to watch."