HBO Max’s ‘Heated Rivalry’ has inspired a real-life hockey player to publicly come out.

Jesse Kortuem, who recently participated in the Cutting Edges Hockey Club’s Winter Classic event, shared his story in an emotional Facebook post on January 13, crediting the hit sports drama with giving him the courage to speak his truth. The series, which follows multiple closeted NHL players navigating their sexuality, struck a deep chord with the athlete.

In his statement, Kortuem opened up about the years he spent hiding who he was:

“I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry’s success. 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, fearing the impact on team dynamics, etc. I loved the game, but I lived with a persistent fear. I wondered how I could be gay and still play such a tough and masculine sport.”

The Minnesota native explained that coming out didn’t feel like an option when he was younger, especially in the 2000s with limited positive representation in media. At 17, he walked away from his high school team and the hockey friendships he’d built. Though he later returned to the sport and played at a high level in New York and Atlanta, he continued to hide his sexuality from teammates.

A turning point came in 2017 when he signed up for a gay sporting event and met other gay hockey players from across the U.S. and Canada. The experience, he said, proved to be “a paradigm shift” that changed his life.

Kortuem closed his statement with a message of hope:

“I want to speak to the athletes out there who are still in the closet or struggling to find their way. I want you to know that there is hope and you’re not alone. 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.”

‘Heated Rivalry,’ which streams on HBO Max, centers on rival NHL players Ilya (Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams) and their secret relationship. Episode 5 features closeted player Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), who publicly comes out and kisses his boyfriend on the ice after winning the Stanley Cup.

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