The Shane Hollander Team Canada Fleece from the popular series “Heated Rivalry” quickly sold out, causing a frenzy among fans. The zip-up fleece worn by the character during the Sochi Olympic scenes in the show’s second episode became highly sought after upon its release on the Province of Canada website. Priced at $356 Cdn, the fleece is expected to ship in October, with 10% of the net profits supporting You Can Play, a non-profit organization promoting 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association will match donations up to a total of $50,000.
The decision to support You Can Play was based on the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, which aligns with the themes of “Heated Rivalry,” according to the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, and producer, Brendan Brady. Although the fleece is not official Team Canada merchandise, the demand from fans prompted its release by the apparel company in response to inquiries since the show’s debut.
Since its premiere in November, “Heated Rivalry” has experienced a 400% increase in viewership on Crave, making it the platform’s top debut show. Additionally, the series has garnered international success, with reports indicating it as the highest-rated non-animated series acquired by HBO Max. The show recently dominated the Canadian Screen Awards, winning a record-breaking 16 awards, including best drama series and best lead actor for Hudson Williams.
To coincide with the popularity of the series, Kuwalla Tee, the original brand behind the modified fleece featured in the show, is re-releasing its “OG Sherpa Fleece.” An agreement was reached in February between Kuwalla Tee, the show, and Province of Canada to credit the brand on social media whenever their fleece is showcased in marketing materials.
The fleece worn on the show was designed by Canadian costume designer Hanna Puley, with a notable presentation of the garment to Prime Minister Mark Carney by Hudson Williams. The product description by Province of Canada acknowledges the inspiration drawn from the show’s costume design, giving special thanks to Hanna Puley and the ‘Release the Fleece’ community for their involvement.
