How a Fierce Rivalry Became the Unexpected Catalyst for His Bold Coming Out Story

Women’s ice hockey, meanwhile, has its own version of Heated Rivalry. Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette were respective captains of the US and Canada Olympic teams. Since retiring, they have married and started a family.

The NHL, meanwhile, has been keen to capitalise on the popularity of the show, with commissioner Gary Bettman saying he binge-watched all six episodes in one night.

But Kortuem says “a lot of gay people” are “very hesitant” about what the NHL says.

During the 2022-23 season, the league eliminated Pride jerseys after some players refused to wear them. Bettman said shirts had become “more of a distraction” but Kortuem believes the message it sent to gay people was they were “not welcome”.