Former NHL star Sean Avery has expressed his views on the new gay hockey romance series, Heated Rivalry, which is available on Crave and streaming on HBO Max. The 45-year-old former professional player, who enjoyed a twelve-season career in the NHL, recently shared his thoughts during an interview with Rolling Stone.
During the conversation, Avery reflected on the possibility of closeted players in the league. “I don’t know firsthand of any gay players past or present,” he stated, adding, “That being said, I do think I must have had a gay closeted teammate at some point in my career.” He emphasized that the success of Heated Rivalry could pave the way for the first openly gay player in the NHL, should there be one.
Avery has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, despite not being a member of the community himself. In 2011, he appeared in a video for the Human Rights Campaign to support same-sex marriage, showcasing his commitment to equality.
While discussing the series, Avery provided a candid assessment, noting, “I love Heated Rivalry. It’s the worst hockey show ever made, but the most incredible gay hockey show ever made.” He admitted that the portrayal of hockey itself leaves much to be desired, but he enjoys the narrative nonetheless, albeit with some reservations about the graphic content. “Sometimes I look away from the TV; it’s pretty graphic,” he remarked.
In addition to his commentary on the series, Avery has also ventured into writing. Earlier this year, he co-authored a hockey romance novel titled Summer Skate with Leslie Cohen. Fans of the genre can find it available for purchase on Amazon.
As conversations regarding LGBTQ+ representation in sports continue to gain momentum, Avery’s insights and experiences contribute to a broader dialogue about acceptance and visibility within the NHL and beyond.
