Why everyone is talking about Heated Rivalry's Team Canada fleece
CBC
Crave's Heated Rivalry may have taken over the airwaves, internet and pop culture in general. But it seems there are more worlds for the queer hockey drama to conquer: fashion. Oh, and the Olympics.
Those last subjects came to a head when eagle-eyed fans spotted — and gushed over — a particular outfit choice by character Shane Hollander (played by Canadian actor Hudson Williams). And they've been demanding the opportunity to buy it ever since.
In the show, Hollander is a Canadian hockey star with an early shot to play for his country in the Olympics. Early on in the second episode, he sports a Team Canada zip-up fleece — though the Crave series opted for an original design instead of using official Team Canada attire.
Their version of that sportswear quickly took off on social media, with fans posting about their desire to own it. The excitement around the garment got big enough that it even reached Heated Rivalry costume designer Hanna Puley, who posted about her experience making the fleece, and seeing the general reaction to it.
"The idea of approachability and comfort was really important for me here. As well as showcasing Canadian identity — which to me feels like quiet confidence. Tough, self-aware, and a little understated. But, ultimately cozy," she wrote.
"I love how much everyone seems to like this piece. It was an earlier choice I made, it's really amazing to see so many people resonate with it!"
The furor also reached the official Team Canada account. After an Instagram post teasing the roster for Canada's 2026 men's hockey team was littered with comments inspired by the Heated Rivalry fleece, they responded with a tongue-in-cheek request for fans to "be excited for both."
Soon after, they made a follow-up post teasing the possibility of an actual Heated Rivalry fleece.
"Update HR fans," they wrote. "Our boss said maybe."
In response, another fan created a Change.org petition urging Team Canada to move ahead with the design that would "[lower] the barrier for new fans, including women, LGBTQIA+ fans, and people who are newer to hockey or the Olympics, to engage in a way that feels welcoming and authentic."
Other fans opted to take a stab at making the fleece themselves, sharing crafting tips about how to go about it. Though it's unlikely those creations will reach a wide audience; according to Team Canada, only sponsors, licensees and official partners of the Olympics "are allowed to suggest an affiliation or connection with the Olympic Movement or any Olympic Games."
Meanwhile, the National Flag of Canada and its definitive, stylized 11-point maple leaf are protected by the Trademarks Act: meaning businesses cannot use either for commercial purposes without express permission from the government of Canada.
Team Canada has not responded to a request for comment from CBC, and has not publicly confirmed whether or not they will create the fleece.
