Harrison Browne, first openly trans pro hockey player, appears on steamy series Heated Rivalry

The first openly transgender professional team athlete in North America shares how his role in a hit show is sparking conversation.

Former Canadian hockey star, Harrison Browne has now added another feather to his hat – in the form of an actor on the hugely popular, steamy sports drama Heated Rivalry.

In addition to being the first openly trans professional hockey player, when Browne paved the way for others during his hockey career, he has also appeared on the show’s recent episode “Rose.”

The 32-year-old confirmed his involvement with the show in December with a social media post teasing his appearance: “See you tonight y’all!!”

Browne told CTV’s News Channel on Saturday that he had no idea how big the show would be and the impact it would have on audiences.

“I had a great time on set,” he said.

Browne added that the director of the series, Jacob Tierney and his co-actors were great to work with.

According to him, it is “no shock” that there are no openly gay players in the National Hockey League (NHL).

“Talking about the sport hockey and the toxic masculinity that is within the men’s space. I think there’s a big culture reckoning that has to happen,” Browne stated.

“Seeing the NHL with the pride tape and not having a lot of pride nights and stuff like that. I think that there’s a lot of conversations to be had, and a lot of a lot of reconciliation with the fans that might have felt slighted by that.”

Browne played centre for the Metropolitan Riveters and Buffalo Beauts, from 2015 to 2018, during which he shared that he is a trans man and the first openly trans athlete in a professional hockey team.

However, he did not transition hormonally until his professional career ended so that he wouldn’t violate the anti-doping regulations.

In the show, Browne plays the role of Ilya’s teammate and player for the Boston Raiders – Connors.

Browne said he had not read the books – Rachel Reid’s Game Changers – that the show was based on before appearing in it.

“I didn’t have a chance to get my hands on one,” he said, adding that he’s “really looking forward to reading it.”

Several children and families reached out to him through social media about the difference he was making in their lives, Browne said.

“Seeing me just be visible on the ice really helped them feel like they could be visible themselves, and empower them in that way,” he said.

“I think a story like this can do the same for a gay individual, a gay boy looking in, not feeling like he’s able to be a part of that sport because he’s never seen anybody do it,” Browne added.

“Because when you can see it, you can be it. And I think that that’s just showing a really great example.”

The show has started a conversation in households and has started to make it feel like a safer space for fans to embrace the sport, according to him.

“I hope that it opens more conversations within the locker room and within hockey as a whole. But I think right now what a TV show can do is just spark those conversations, and I think it’s doing just that great.”