The highly anticipated release of Crave’s popular hockey romance series, “Heated Rivalry,” has sparked a craze for Shane Hollander’s Team Canada zip-up fleece. Fans have been clamoring for the chance to purchase the iconic white jacket worn by Hollander, portrayed by Canadian actor Hudson Williams, in the Sochi Olympic scenes featured in Episode 2.
Although the fleece is not an official Team Canada product, the demand from fans prompted the show’s creators to partner with a Canadian clothing company, Province of Canada, to bring the fleece to market. Details regarding pricing and the official release date are still pending.
The decision to produce the jacket was driven by the passionate fan base of “Heated Rivalry,” according to executive producers and co-presidents of Accent Aigu Entertainment, Jacob Tierney, and Brendan Brady. They expressed gratitude for the fans’ input and revealed that the fleece jacket was a top request from the audience.
“Heated Rivalry” has not only captured viewers’ hearts but has also achieved significant success since its premiere in late November. Reports indicate a 400% increase in viewership on Crave, making it the platform’s most successful debut show to date. Additionally, the series has garnered international acclaim, becoming the highest-rated non-animated show acquired by HBO Max.
Furthermore, the show’s stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, are set to be torchbearers at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Games. The buzz surrounding the Team Canada fleece even caught the attention of the official Team Canada account, leading to playful interactions with fans on social media.
Despite not being official Team Canada merchandise, the forthcoming release of the fleece is seen as a victory by fans who advocated for its production. A Change.org petition calling for the design to be made available to a diverse fan base was successful, providing an opportunity for fans to purchase their version of the iconic garment.
