Hockey Stars Clash Amidst Fashion Ban Furore!
Opinion: As Heated Rivalry draws new queer fans to the sport, the NHL must reckon with the culture that still keeps queer players and fans at the margins.
As someone who has been a huge hockey fan for over 20 years, there’s never been a more tumultuous time to be a follower of the sport. I started attending Florida Panthers games regularly at the age of 6, and the obsession grew until it came to a head in high school. At age 16, I began writing a hockey blog called Cats on the Prowl , which earned me press credentials and locker room access.
As the only woman in the press box and by far the youngest writer in the room, I began to carve out a space for myself in the world of hockey. While the blog no longer exists, my passion for the sport has not waned. I even had my beloved mascot, Stanley C.
Panther, make an appearance at my wedding. When Heated Rivalry premiered on HBO, I didn’t know just how much it would take over my life. As a queer woman with a strong dedication to the sport, I was eager to dive into a show about queer hockey players.
A combination of my two biggest passions, the show felt tailor-made for me, and I still can’t get enough of it. It seems I’m not the only one. The obsession with Heated Rivalry and its cast has often been compared to Beatlemania, and the show itself has averaged over 10 million viewers per episode.
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