We’ve all seen the Instagram posts, podcast clips, and TikTok edits. Heated Rivalry is everywhere. Now, it’s hitting the retail racks. Thanks to Province of Canada, a Canadian-made fashion label, the iconic Shane Hollander/Hudson Williams “Canada” fleece is available for fans to snag in stores.
Designed by Hanna Puley, the original costume piece made its on-screen debut as an Olympic uniform during the second episode of Heated Rivalry‘s hotshot first season. Worn by Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander for Canada’s hockey team, the fuzzy fleece quickly stole the scene.
“Fans are the heart of Heated Rivalry, and this is entirely because of them. We’ve listened closely to what they’ve been asking for, and the fleece jacket has been at the top of that list,” said Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, executive producers and co-presidents of Accent Aigu Entertainment. “We’re so excited to partner with Province of Canada. As a Canadian-based, independent apparel brand that does amazing work sourcing and manufacturing high-quality clothing, we share a common ethos.”
Among those fans is none other than Prime Minister Mark Carney. On Thursday evening, the Prime Minister praised Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney for producing the project in Canada after American film studios requested a toned-down version. “Jacob did the right thing. He did the smart thing. He came home to Canada,” Carney said. “He came home to a nation that celebrates what makes us different.”
And, like Heated Rivalry itself, the fleece will be a Canadian product. “Producing the fleece in Canada was a shared priority, and a key part of making this piece feel meaningful and true to the story behind it,” said Julie Brown and Jeremy Watt, Co-Founders of Province of Canada. “We’re incredibly honoured to partner with the Heated Rivalry team to bring this fleece to life here in Canada.”
Aside from meeting a fan demand, Accent Aigu and Province of Canada have committed to donating 10% of fleece jacket sales to a charitable cause. “We look forward to bringing it to life with the creativity and care fans expect, while also supporting a meaningful cause,” Tierney and Brady added.
Cast in a clean combination of white and red, the fleece is a subtle nod to the series that stole the hearts of more than millions — late January estimates are as high as nine million viewers per episode — and its retro design makes for a stylish staple during the spring and fall.
While the specifics (price, charity, and availability) are still to be determined, once thing is for sure: Heated Rivalry proves that film and fashion are as intertwined as ever.
FEATURE PHOTO BY SABRINA LANTOS, COURTESY OF HBO MAX.
