Heated rivalry has sparked a wave powerful enough to melt hearts in real life, thawing emotions that have been buried for decades. What started as binge-worthy drama has turned into something deeply personal for people who have been on the ice, competing against real tough teams. The show is also quietly inspiring courage and love off the ice, with Jesse Kortuem opening up about how the show inspired him.

As Heated Rivalry continues to get massive popularity among fans, what does Jesse Kortuem’s revelation mean for the NHL or the hockey world?

Jesse Kortuem might not have played in the NHL, but he has played in several competitive leagues. Growing up in Minnesota, Jesse Kortuem knew that he loved the sport and played as a defenseman and center. However, he also struggled to talk about his identity. For years, that fear kept him from fully embracing both his identity and his passion for hockey, forcing him to step away from the sport he loved.

Years later, Jesse found his way back onto the ice, playing at high levels in New York and Atlanta. Even then, he could not find the courage to share the truth in the locker room. It was not until a gay hockey tournament in Las Vegas, the SinCityClassic, that he connected with other queer players, and he reconciled his love for the game with his true self.

Recently, Jesse Kortuem publicly came out as gay, crediting the hit series Heated Rivalry for inspiring him to share his story.

"I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry's success," Jesse Kortuem told Out. "Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport.”

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His story shows the challenges many other athletes face, balancing acceptance and passion for their sport, and this will inspire many more to share their story. Understandably, the series that talks about the same struggles has gained massive popularity among readers and fans alike.

As the Heated Rivalry is renewed for season 2, the book series will also get a new installment. Author of Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid is officially expanding the Heated Rivalry universe with Unrivaled, which will be the seventh novel in her Game Changers series, as confirmed by her publisher. Unrivaled will be the direct sequel to Heated Rivalry and The Long Game.

This will continue the story of rival-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose relationship. The new novel picks up after Shane and Ilya are publicly out, married, and playing on the same team, the Ottawa Centaurs, as they deal with the backlash within the hockey world sparked by a podcast-led movement called #TakeBackHockey. Rachel Reid’s books have seen major success since the release of the TV series, with Heated Rivalry, and the same is expected for Unrivaled, which is currently available for pre-order ahead of its September 29 release. 

With Unrivaled, Shane and Ilya’s story now continues both on screen and on the page. And if the current momentum is any indication, this show is set to gain more love and appreciation from both readers and viewers alike. Until the release of the new season or book, fans can watch the other shows 

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Are you excited for season 2? Let us know in the comments section below.