The much-anticipated release of Crave’s popular hockey-themed series, “Heated Rivalry,” has sparked a frenzy among fans over the Team Canada zip-up fleece worn by Shane Hollander, portrayed by Canadian actor Hudson Williams. Although the fleece is not officially licensed Team Canada merchandise, fans have been clamoring for the chance to purchase it. In response to the overwhelming demand, the show’s creators have teamed up with Canadian clothing company Province of Canada to make the fleece available for purchase.
Province of Canada announced the forthcoming release of the fleece on its website and social media platforms, acknowledging the fans’ enthusiasm for the iconic garment featured in the show. The Toronto-based apparel brand will handle the production and distribution of the jacket, with specific details such as pricing and release date yet to be disclosed.
Executive producers and co-presidents of Accent Aigu Entertainment, Jacob Tierney, and Brendan Brady expressed gratitude towards the fans for their support, emphasizing that the decision to release the fleece was driven by fan feedback. The acclaimed series, adapted from Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” hockey romance series, has garnered significant attention since its debut, with a 400% increase in viewership on Crave and achieving record-breaking success as the top-rated non-animated series acquired by HBO Max.
Moreover, the show’s lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have been selected as torchbearers for the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Games. The excitement surrounding the fleece even caught the attention of official Team Canada channels, prompting a humorous response encouraging fans to appreciate both the team and the show’s merchandise. A Change.org petition advocating for the fleece to be made official Team Canada merch has celebrated a partial victory with the confirmed availability of a similar version for fans to purchase.
As the anticipation builds for the fleece’s release, fans continue to showcase their dedication to “Heated Rivalry” through various creative expressions, underscoring the show’s profound impact on its audience.
