Overview
- On the CMPA Prime Time red carpet in Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney posed with star Hudson Williams, asked him to "do the leg thing," and put on the show’s Team Canada fleece in a widely shared clip.
- Carney praised the drama as distinctly Canadian "soft power," lauded its queer representation, and joked he "green-lit" the show while saying U.S. studios wanted it toned down.
- Williams presented Carney with the fan-favourite fleece, which coverage says will be released as official merchandise.
- The surprise "In Conversation with Heated Rivalry" panel featured Williams, Sophie Nélisse, and creators Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, drawing industry and government attention.
- The Canadian-made series has surged internationally with its Crave launch and HBO Max rollout, earning a Season 2 renewal and fueling broader conversations about inclusion in sport.