At a Glance
- Defenseman Jesse Kortuem publicly came out on Facebook after watching HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry
- The series features a closeted player kissing his boyfriend on the ice after winning the Stanley Cup
- Kortuem stepped away from his Minnesota high-school team at 17, fearing a “social disaster”
- Why it matters: His story highlights how positive LGBTQ+ representation in sports media can empower real-life athletes
A scripted hockey drama has inspired a real player to share his truth. Defenseman Jesse Kortuem, who recently skated in the Cutting Edges Hockey Club’s Winter Classic, posted on Facebook that he is gay after watching HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry.
From TV Inspiration to Personal Revelation
The series centers on rival stars Ilya (Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams), but a key episode follows closeted pro Scott Hunter (François Arnaud). After his team wins the Stanley Cup, Scott invites smoothie-shop employee Kip (Robbie G.K.) onto the ice for a celebratory kiss and later declares his love during an awards speech.
Kortuem, who grew up as the youngest of four boys in Minnesota, said the moment resonated. In his Jan. 13 post he wrote that arena sounds once symbolized “the place where I felt I had to hide.”
A Lifetime on Defense
Kortuem’s journey began in Minnesota rinks. “As a young teenager, I carried a weight that did not seem to fit into that world,” he recalled. “I loved the game, but I lived with a persistent fear.”
- Quit his high-school team at 17
- Returned to high-level play in New York and Atlanta
- Kept his sexuality from teammates, fearing it would “change everything in an instant”
He told teammates he was single and changed the subject whenever conversation turned to wives and girlfriends.
Turning Point in 2017
Kortuem reached “a breaking point” after registering for a gay sporting event. There he met the Las Vegas Boyz, a traveling squad of openly gay hockey players from across the U.S. and Canada.
“From that moment forward, my life has never been the same,” he said. He credits similar clubs in Vancouver (Cutting Edges) and Toronto (Misfits) with helping him shed the “closeted athlete persona.”
During his most recent tournament with the Cutting Edges, he said he finally felt “peace” on the ice.
Message to Others Still in the Closet
Kortuem closed his post with encouragement for athletes still hiding their identities:
“This is my story. It is not everyone’s story, but for what it is worth, I thought I would share because 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.”
Praise From the Hockey World
While Kortuem never reached the NHL, he did log time as both defenseman and center in several other leagues. Speaking with Out, he said the success of Heated Rivalry has affected many closeted men in hockey.
“Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport,” he said. “Today, I took the step to finally tell my hockey journey and my story. I’m beyond grateful for all the positive comments I’ve received from past teammates and high school teammates.”
Key Takeaways
- Representation matters: a single TV storyline motivated Kortuem to live openly
- Supportive LGBTQ+ sports clubs helped him reclaim his love for hockey
- His public coming-out adds momentum to inclusion efforts in traditionally macho leagues
