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

In an interview with The Athletic, Bettman said: “You know what our goals, our values and our intentions are across the league, whether it’s at the league level or at the club level. But we also have to respect individual choice. And part of being diverse and welcoming is understanding those differences.”

Later that season, the NHL banned players from using using stick tape to express support for social causes, before reversing that decision.

“Actions speak louder than words,” says Kortuem. “I would like to see the NHL say they were wrong.”

Heated Rivalry itself has come in for criticism, for creating an impression that there is a secret network of gay athletes in the NHL – and some have found the explicit scenes too much to handle.