A real-life hockey player has publicly shared his identity, stating the popular television series helped him find the strength to stop hiding and embrace his true self. On Tuesday, January 14, 2026, Jesse Kortuem came out as gay in a detailed personal statement posted on social media and in an interview with Out magazine. Kortuem, who played as a defenseman and center, directly credited the success and positive representation of the HBO Max and Crave series Heated Rivalry as the spark that finally led him to share his story. His announcement highlights the powerful, real-world impact of LGBTQ+ representation in sports media, moving beyond entertainment to touch individual lives.
The Personal Impact of Heated Rivalry
In his statement, Kortuem explained that watching Heated Rivalry created a significant emotional shift for him. The show, which follows two professional hockey players who fall into a secret romance, presented a vision of hockey culture he had never seen before. Kortuem told Out magazine that seeing this positive portrayal within the traditionally masculine sport of hockey was transformative. He specifically noted that he believes many other closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being similarly affected by the show’s success.
“I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry’s success,” Kortuem said. “Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport. I’ve struggled the last few weeks to put these emotions into words.”
Kortuem described himself as a very private person who rarely shares on social media. He wrote that “lately, something has sparked in me (ok – yes credit to #HeatedRivalry). I realized it is finally time to share a journey I have kept close to the vest for a long time.” His story shows how a fictional narrative can provide the mirror and the courage needed for a real person to live authentically.
A Lifetime of Hiding in the Sport He Loved
Kortuem’s journey was marked by a long struggle to reconcile his identity with his passion for hockey. Growing up in Minnesota as the youngest of four boys in a sports-focused family, he felt from a young age that his sexuality was something that had to be hidden. He loved the game but lived with a constant, deep-seated fear. As a teenager in the 2000s, he saw no positive representation of gay athletes in the media and believed coming out would be a “social disaster”. This internal conflict became too much, leading him to walk away from his high school team at age 17.
Although Kortuem returned to play at a high level as an adult in New York and Atlanta, he continued to hide this core part of himself from his teammates. He was out in his personal life but could not bring himself to be open in the locker room. He worried that revealing his truth would instantly change his teammates’ opinions of him and potentially bring negative attention to the team. During conversations about dating or relationships, he would change the subject or say he was single, even when he was seeing someone.
“On the outside, I was still a top-tier player. On the inside, I was still that kid in Minnesota hiding,” Kortuem wrote. “I spent every week in a locker room with guys I respected, yet I still did not feel safe enough to tell them who I truly was.”
Finding Community and a Path Forward
A major turning point came in 2017 when Kortuem decided to attend the Sin City Classic, a large LGBTQ+ sports tournament in Las Vegas. There, playing with the LA Blades, he met a group of gay hockey players from across the United States and Canada. For the first time, he was in a hockey environment where he did not have to hide. He described the experience as a paradigm shift, stating “from that moment forward, my life has never been the same”. This experience opened the door to inclusive hockey communities where he has since built lasting friendships, including with teams like The Cutting Edges Hockey Club in Vancouver and the Misfits in Toronto.
Kortuem specifically thanked The Cutting Edges Hockey Club for hosting him at their Winter Classic event in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, just before his announcement. Wearing their jersey, which he said represented both his sport and his community, felt like “a bridge being built over a gap I had lived with for decades”. This moment of acceptance and visibility on the ice helped solidify his decision to come out publicly.
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A Message to Other Athletes
At the heart of Kortuem’s announcement was a direct message to other athletes who may be struggling in silence. He explicitly stated that he shared his story to speak to those still in the closet or trying to find their way. His words offered reassurance, hope, and solidarity.
“I want you to know that there is hope and you’re not alone,” Kortuem wrote. “There is a life and a deep happiness waiting for you on your path. You will get through this, and it is going to be okay.”
The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many highlighting his story as a perfect example of why representation in media matters. One post on Threads noted, “THIS is what representation does. THIS is why it matters. Queer stories are changing hockey culture in real time!”.
Heated Rivalry, which stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov, is based on the Game Changers book series by author Rachel Reid. The first season is available for streaming on HBO Max and Crave, and the series has already been renewed for a second season. Reid recently addressed public curiosity about her own sexuality, emphasizing that an author’s identity does not grant a “right” to tell a story, but that sensitivity and thoughtful creation are what matter most.
Also Read: Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie Reunite for New Audio Romance Ember and Ice
