Brock McGillis: Heated Rivalry Might Hurt Gay Players

Brock McGillis, recognized as the first openly gay professional hockey player, has voiced strong disagreement with the idea that the "Heated Rivalry" television series could encourage more NHL players to come out. In a recent interview, McGillis suggested that the show might actually have a detrimental effect on players considering such a step, despite his personal enjoyment of the program. He expressed skepticism about the show's potential positive reception within the hockey community.

McGillis's comments contrast with those of former NHL player Sean Avery, who had recently expressed optimism that the series' success could pave the way for gay players in the league to reveal their identities. However, McGillis, who publicly came out in 2016 after his playing career, indicated that his own coming out did not immediately lead to others following suit. He pointed out that significant societal shifts or external influences like the show did not prompt a wave of other players to come out.