Chicago Pride Hockey Sees Surge After Heated Rivalry Debut

The LGBTQ+ hockey community in Chicago is welcoming new players inspired by the hit HBO show.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:50pm

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The Chicago Gay Hockey Association, which recently rebranded as Chicago Pride Hockey, has seen a major influx of new members since the debut of the hit HBO show "Heated Rivalry". The show, which portrays a secret romance between two star hockey players, has sparked renewed interest in the inclusive hockey community. Chicago Pride Hockey, founded in 2002, aims to provide a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels and backgrounds to enjoy the sport.

Why it matters

The surge in interest highlights the power of representation in media and the growing demand for inclusive sports communities. Chicago Pride Hockey's inclusive approach provides an important avenue for LGBTQ+ individuals to participate in hockey, a traditionally male-dominated sport.

The details

Chicago Pride Hockey, formerly known as the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, was founded in 2002 to provide a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ hockey players. After rebranding in November 2025, the organization has seen over 100 new inquiries about joining in the past few months, largely driven by the popularity of the HBO show "Heated Rivalry". The show, which features a secret romance between two star hockey players, has resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community and sparked renewed interest in the sport.

  • Chicago Pride Hockey was founded in 2002.
  • The organization rebranded from the Chicago Gay Hockey Association in November 2025.
  • In the past few months, the organization has seen over 100 new inquiries about joining.

The players

Gina Malizio

The president of Chicago Pride Hockey, who discovered the organization a decade ago and has helped grow the community.

Andi Vertz

A captain for one of the Chicago Pride Hockey teams, who is passionate about getting new players involved in the sport.

Travis Woodworth

Another captain for a Chicago Pride Hockey team, who enjoys the community aspect of the organization.

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What they’re saying

“We thought the name didn't really reflect who we are as an organization. Pride was more of a reflective title for our community.”

— Gina Malizio, President, Chicago Pride Hockey (wgntv.com)

“Meeting people out at social events they will be like, 'wow I always wanted to play hockey,' and it's literally never too late to learn.”

— Andi Vertz, Team Captain, Chicago Pride Hockey (wgntv.com)

“You keep meeting new people and are introduced to different ways of life. And you get to see how everyone wants to be involved and how there's an avenue for everyone to get involved, so there is a big community aspect to it which I enjoy as well.”

— Travis Woodworth, Team Captain, Chicago Pride Hockey (wgntv.com)

What’s next

Chicago Pride Hockey is working to accommodate the influx of new players interested in joining the organization, while maintaining its inclusive and welcoming environment.

The takeaway

The success of the HBO show "Heated Rivalry" has shone a spotlight on the importance of representation in media and the growing demand for inclusive sports communities like Chicago Pride Hockey. The organization's commitment to providing a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to play hockey is a model for other communities to follow.