Demand for the Shane Hollander Team Canada Fleece featured in the popular series “Heated Rivalry” has been overwhelming. The zip-up fleece worn by the character Hollander during the Sochi Olympic scenes in the show’s second episode created a frenzy as soon as it debuted. The highly anticipated fleece, released by Canadian brand Province of Canada, sold out within 10 minutes of its launch on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET. Priced at $356 Cdn, the fleece is set to ship in October and is available exclusively on the brand’s website. A portion of the proceeds, 10% of net profits, will be donated to You Can Play, a non-profit organization promoting 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
Moreover, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have pledged to match donations to You Can Play, up to a total of $50,000. The creators of “Heated Rivalry,” Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, expressed their choice of You Can Play as a beneficiary due to the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, aligning with the core values of the show.
Although the fleece is not an official Team Canada product, fans have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since it appeared on the show. Responding to the overwhelming demand from fans, the apparel company announced the release of the fleece in January.
Since its premiere last November, “Heated Rivalry” has seen a remarkable 400% increase in viewership on Crave, making it the streaming platform’s top debut show, as reported by Bell Media. The show has also gained international acclaim, with Variety noting it as the highest-rated non-animated series acquired by HBO Max. At the recent Canadian Screen Awards, “Heated Rivalry” swept 16 awards, including best drama series and best lead actor for Hudson Williams.
In addition to the Team Canada Fleece craze, Kuwalla Tee, the original brand of the modified fleece used in the show, is relaunching its “OG Sherpa Fleece” this week. The brand had previously raised concerns about the use of its design by “Heated Rivalry” and Province of Canada. However, an agreement was reached in February for proper tagging and crediting on social media when showcasing Kuwalla Tee’s fleece in marketing materials.
The fleece worn on the show was crafted by Canadian costume designer Hanna Puley, with even Prime Minister Mark Carney receiving one from Williams at an event in January. Province of Canada’s product description acknowledges the inspiration from the show’s costume design, giving special thanks to Hanna Puley and the ‘Release the Fleece’ community.