Canadiens Captain Nick Suzuki Says NHL Team Would Welcome an LGBTQ+ Player Amid ‘Heated Rivalry’ Buzz
- Mr&Mr world
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
by Josh Azevedo (Gayety.com)
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki says his locker room is ready to support an openly LGBTQ+ teammate, as conversations around queerness in professional hockey gain renewed momentum thanks to the breakout Canadian television series Heated Rivalry.
Suzuki made the remarks Sunday during an appearance on Radio-Canada’s Tout le monde en parle, joined by Canadiens teammates Juraj Slafkovský, Alexandre Texier and Oliver Kapanen. The four players are preparing to represent their respective countries at the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
When asked about Heated Rivalry, a scripted series that centers on secret romantic relationships between gay and bisexual professional hockey players, Suzuki acknowledged the show’s cultural impact on the sport.
“I’ve heard about [the series], I think we all have,” Suzuki said.
The show has drawn attention for exploring the fear many athletes face around coming out, including concerns over privacy, public reaction and career consequences in a league where no openly gay player has yet competed.
“It has taken the world by storm and brought a lot of new audience members to hockey, which has been awesome,” Suzuki said.
A Locker Room Ready for Change
While Suzuki noted that he and his teammates don’t have firsthand experience with an NHL player coming out publicly, he emphasized that the Canadiens’ culture prioritizes respect.
“As a team, I think we are well-prepared to welcome anyone that would come out,” he said.
The 26-year-old Ontario native added that acceptance is already part of the team’s dynamic.
“That wouldn’t change if someone came out and was on our team or another team,” Suzuki said.
Texier echoed that sentiment during the broadcast, speaking in French and underscoring that inclusion should extend beyond the rink.
“We do Pride nights to support,” Texier said. “It’s important, not just in sport, but in life in general. As hockey players, as Montreal Canadiens’ players, we would accept it. There’s no taboo.”
Hockey’s Longstanding Silence
Despite visible progress in recent years, including Pride nights and initiatives like You Can Play, which promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, professional men’s hockey has remained largely quiet when it comes to openly queer athletes.
That silence is a central theme of Heated Rivalry, which has resonated with viewers inside and outside traditional hockey fandom. The series has also been credited with drawing new audiences to the NHL at a time when leagues are increasingly attentive to representation.
Reposted from: Gayety.com
To read the full article go to:
Comments