Hockey player Jesse Kortuem has come out as gay, crediting the TV show 'Heated Rivalry' for inspiring him. Kortuem shared that growing up he struggled to reconcile his sexuality with the sport, fearing backlash and team dynamics. He revealed that for years, he remained closeted, even after rejoining competitive hockey as an adult. In 2017, he found community at a gay hockey tournament and now skates with Vancouver's Cutting Edges Hockey Club. Kortuem says he has finally found peace, stating,