Emmy-Winning Producer Launches Casting Call for Reality Show Inspired by Gay Hockey Romance 'Heated Rivalry'

Joel Relampagos, CEO of North Star Content and an executive producer known for NBC's The Biggest Loser, has launched a casting call for a reality television series featuring queer hockey players, directly inspired by the global success of Crave and HBO Max's Heated Rivalry. The announcement, shared exclusively with Out. com, seeks "the Avengers of gay hockey" — real-life athletes from local leagues to professional levels — to share their stories in and outside the rink.

Heated Rivalry, a Canadian sports romance series created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers novel series, premiered on Crave in late November 2025 and quickly became one of HBO Max's most popular shows by Christmas. The scripted drama follows the secret romance between two rival professional hockey players: Canadian Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Russian Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. Set against the backdrop of intense on-ice competition, the series explores their passionate off-ice relationship spanning years, including team championships and personal reckonings.

Relampagos, who gained early public attention as the subject of MTV's 2002 documentary True Life: I'm Coming Out, emphasized the cultural moment created by Heated Rivalry. “There’s no question that the biggest scripted show out there is Heated Rivalry, "he stated. "As an out executive producer for unscripted television, I wanted to create a show with real, queer, hockey players who have lives so interesting that we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds in and outside the ice rink." He noted that the casting process began just a few weeks ago, with submissions already described as "phenomenal."

Queer hockey players interested in applying are instructed to email casting@northstar-content. com with the subject line “HOCKEY." Submissions require a photo or headshot, a video no longer than two minutes introducing themselves and their hockey background, and written responses to questions including full name, age, phone number, gender identity, sexual orientation, social media handles, years playing hockey, position, why they are perfect for the show, and unique life stories.

The timing of this casting call coincides with Heated Rivalry's broader impact on the LGBTQ+ hockey community. Jesse Kortuem, a real-life hockey player who previously stepped away from the sport due to fears about reconciling his athletic career with his sexuality, recently came out as gay and credited the series for his decision. "I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry's success, "Kortuem told Out. com. "Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport." He described playing defenseman and center in various leagues and finding supportive gay hockey groups like the Las Vegas Boyz, Vancouver's Cutting Edges, and Toronto's Misfits after a pivotal tournament.

Kyle McCarthy, president of Vancouver's LGBTQ+ hockey association The Cutting Edges, expressed surprise at the show's success given hockey's historical challenges for gay men. Growing up in a rural, religious community in western Canada, McCarthy quit hockey at 19 after coming out, believing it incompatible with being openly gay. He later returned through The Cutting Edges and praised the series for portraying queer characters as "complex"and "rich, "countering stereotypes. McCarthy hopes the show makes hockey more welcoming for LGBTQ+ people, though he remains cautious.

This reality project arrives as Heated Rivalry garners attention from mainstream hockey podcasts hosted by straight commentators, signaling a shift in the sport's cultural landscape. Relampagos'initiative, unaffiliated with the scripted series, underscores growing interest in authentic LGBTQ+ stories from a sport long associated with masculinity.