Dessent, who grew up in Niles, started playing hockey as a kid because his older brother was talented at the sport and his parents thought it would be a good idea for him to join while they were at the rink. When he was a kid, though, Dessent said he never had much fun playing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Zack](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-l-chicago-pride-hockey-06.jpg\")
Zack Dessent puts on his sweater while suiting up with teammates of the Chicago Pride Hockey team for a game against the Chicago Aces at the American Heartland Ice Arena, Jan. 15, 2026, in Lincolnwood. (John J. Kim\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
He was scared that his teammates would find out he was gay and that he would get bullied. This fear caused him to keep to himself and he didn\u2019t make many friends in the sport. He related to the fear the characters expressed in the show of their relationship being discovered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling of being different is a very scary thing, especially when you don\u2019t know how people are going to react to it,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A couple years ago, Dessent was looking for a way to make new friends as an adult, a challenging experience. He didn\u2019t want to play dodgeball or kickball, and thought he\u2019d try out the only sport he in which he had any real experience. But this time he wanted to play with other LGBTQ+ players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although he joked it did take him a couple games to build up his stamina after 14 years of not skating.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying as an adult has been the most fun I\u2019ve ever had in my life,\u201d Dessent said. \u201cI\u2019ve made so many new best friends \u2026 and we all look out for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chicago Pride Hockey, formerly called the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, was founded in 2002 with the goal of creating a safe, comfortable environment<\/a> for gay men to play hockey. People of all genders and identities are accepted and encouraged to join though, Dessent said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The founder, Chuck Jacobson, told the Tribune in 2004<\/a> that he was inspired by a gay hockey league in New York. He was able to find 15 players to start. Most of them were gay men, two were straight and one was a lesbian.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHockey is an intimidating sport,\u201d Jacobson said at the time. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean a gay team can\u2019t play and win.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the years, the group has collaborated with the Chicago Blackhawks, including for a \u201cHockey is for Everyone\u201d campaign<\/a> in 2017. The Hawks wore \u201cpride tape\u201d on their sticks during warmups in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The nonprofit also focuses on charity work, such as a learn to skate program with the Boys and Girls Club.<\/p>\n Annie Davis-Korelc, executive director of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, said she\u2019s inspired by the sense of belonging Chicago Pride Hockey brings to the sport. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, meanwhile, told reporters Thursday<\/a> that \u201cHeated Rivalry\u201d is \u201cvery compelling and a lot of fun.\u201d He said he binged all six episodes in \u201cone night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that hockey is for everyone, and this team and others like it create spaces where people can show up and feel welcomed and included in the sport,\u201d Davis-Korelc said. \u201cWe\u2019re proud of this partnership and the excitement it adds as more people discover what makes this game so special.\u201d<\/p>\n Now there\u2019s about 100 players on four teams. Those teams play in a few different leagues at different rinks throughout the city and suburbs. Dessent expects the number of players to grow though with the renewed hockey interest \u2014 the \u201cmore the merrier,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just happy that we can be that place where people can come and feel welcomed and supported and like they don\u2019t have to worry about being judged,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n That was what Shelby Domabyl-Deiters said she found when she joined about a year a half ago. The 35-year-old La Grange Park resident and self-titled \u201csuburban hockey mom\u201d is now the secretary and director of community outreach.\u00a0<\/p>\n She\u2019s always loved hockey, but wasn\u2019t sure if it loved her back \u2014 both as a woman and a lesbian. When she\u2019s on the ice the external world falls away. But there\u2019s still a nagging feeling that she may not be accepted while playing or coaching her 6-year-old son\u2019s hockey team.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always that, what if that parent, or what if the other player in this pickup game says something, or they don\u2019t like my pride tape,\u201d she said. \u201cYou can\u2019t fully enjoy the experience without that layer of protection, but with Chicago Pride Hockey it was like instant family.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The part of \u201cHeated Rivalry\u201d that touched her the most was Ilya struggling to be himself because of his family. She also connected to Shane, the other half of the couple, trying to convince himself he isn\u2019t gay. She said she also had a hard time coming out<\/p>\n She added that when Scott Hunter, a side character on the show who is also a closeted professional hockey player, kissed his boyfriend in front of a huge crowd is the kind of representation that helps push people to accept themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cI just remember trying to keep the secret, I guess, and trying really hard not to be gay,\u201d she said. \u201cNot in a sport or team setting, but with family and friends (thinking) \u2018oh no I need to not be this way.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n For Andrew Sobotka, the show demonstrated what it\u2019s like to leave a piece of yourself at home in order to not be outed. He\u2019s sure there are professional athletes today who are going through a similar experience as Shane and Ilya in the show.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere are gay hockey players, and they very likely are high-performing athletes,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of the sadness that comes with having to hide part of themselves to be able to play the game that they love.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Hudson](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-l-Heated-Rivalry.jpg\")
Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie of “Heated Rivalry” in West Hollywood, California, Dec. 18, 2025. (Ryan Pfluger\/The New York Times)<\/p>\n
![\"Zack](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-l-chicago-pride-hockey-09.jpg\")
Zack Dessent, center, and Andrew Sobotka warm up with the Chicago Pride Hockey team for a game against the Chicago Aces at the American Heartland Ice Arena, Jan. 15, 2026, in Lincolnwood. (John J. Kim\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n