In a powerful and personal revelation, former professional ice hockey player Jesse Kortuem has publicly come out as gay, crediting the popular HBO television series Heated Rivalry for giving him the courage to share his truth.
A Heartfelt Post Sparks a Wave of Support
On the 19th of January 2026, Kortuem, who hails from Minnesota and played at a high level across leagues in the United States and Canada, posted a lengthy and emotional statement to his Facebook account. In it, he detailed the internal struggle of living as a closeted gay man within the hyper-masculine world of competitive hockey.
He described living with a persistent fear of being stereotyped and the exhausting dichotomy of hiding his identity. "I wondered how I could be gay and still play such a tough and masculine sport," Kortuem wrote. "I did not think those two worlds could occupy the same person, let alone the same locker room."
He explained that during his playing career in the 2000s, coming out felt impossible, fearing it would instantly change teammates' opinions of him and bring unwanted attention to his team.
The Power of Positive Representation
Kortuem directly attributed his decision to come out publicly to the impact of watching Heated Rivalry. The HBO show, starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, features a fictional romance between two male professional ice hockey players in North America.
The series has been a critical and commercial success, noted as HBO's top debut for a non-animated series and lauded for its authentic LGBTQI+ representation. Its cultural impact was further recognised with a nomination for Outstanding New TV Series at the GLAAD Media Awards.
For Kortuem, seeing a positive and celebrated portrayal of gay athletes in his own sport was transformative. It provided the representation he felt was desperately missing during his own career.
An Outpouring of Love and a Mission for Change
The response to Kortuem's post was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Hundreds of comments flooded in, offering support and gratitude for his bravery. One supporter wrote, "Welcome out, dude. Thank you for sharing and here’s hoping that those teenagers in Minnesota and beyond can feel that little bit safer."
Kortuem stated he was completely overwhelmed by the love and support he received. He has now turned his experience into a mission, stating: "My mission is to ensure that hockey, and every sport, is a safe space where the only thing that matters is your heart and your hustle."
His coming out is a significant moment for ice hockey, a sport where visibility remains low. There are currently no openly gay players in the National Hockey League (NHL), making stories like Kortuem's vital for progress and inclusion in professional sports.
