NHL Comissioner Raves About HBO's Popular Hockey Drama

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has commented on the massive success of HBO's hockey-inspired romance series, Heated Rivalry.

Starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in two star-making performances, the show centers around two competitive hockey players who put their professional rivalry asside to engage in a years-long romance off the rink. The story is inspired by Rachel Reid's 'Game Changer' book series.

NHL Comissioner Binged Heated Rivalry In One Night

Bettman recently told Hockey News that he watched the entirety of Heated Rivalry in a single night, labelling it a "wonderful story" that's particularly important for young people.

"The content [...] may be a little spicy, so you have to balance that out with how you embrace it," Bettman warned, though he still "thought the storyline was compelling."

One of the main reasons Heated Rivalry has become such a pop culture sensation over the past months is that it's been able to bridge the gap between two very different target audiences. The sports drama has a clear attention to detail and admiration of hockey that's sure to appease NHL fans, but its central queer romance has also managed to break free of a historically isolated subgenre.

"[The show] is a lot of fun," Bettman admitted, "because I could see where they were picking at things we [as a league] had done in the past, whether or not it was being in Sochi or the All-Star Game in Tampa. It was very well done."

Heated Rivalry's huge success following its release last November has landed the show a second season renewal almost immediately. Williams and Storrie have also become huge stars in the show's wake, embarking on a long press circuit that's seen them present the Golden Globes, attend the Milan Fashion Week, and even carry the Olympic Torch.

Season 2 of Heated Rivalry does not have an official release date yet, though it's safe to assume the project will be a priority for HBO in the coming months.