Former NHL forward Sean Avery recently shared that he believes he likely played alongside at least one closeted gay teammate, even if no one ever came out publicly during his time in the sport.In a new interview with Rolling Stone published this week, the former New York Rangers agitator said he never had direct knowledge of LGBTQ players in the league but added that the odds point to it being likely.“I don’t know firsthand of any gay players past or present,” Avery said. “That being said, I do think I must have had a gay closeted teammate at some point in my career.”Avery has been one of the sport’s earliest outspoken supporters of LGBTQ rights. In 2011, during his second stint with the Rangers, he appeared in a Human Rights Campaign video advocating for same-sex marriage.More than a decade later, Avery says the cultural shift around sports and sexuality is clear.“Athletes have adapted and understand how to navigate and protect themselves much better today,” he said.While Avery believes the NHL is more prepared than ever to support an openly gay player, he emphasized that the decision to come out must always rest with the athlete.“Nobody should be forced to come out. Relationships in general are hard these days for everyone. Pro athletes have insecurities. These guys are human.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSean Avery played 580 NHL games from 2001 to 2012 suiting up for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. Known as one of hockey’s most effective pests, he logged more than 1,500 penalty minutes and built a reputation as a relentless on-ice presence.Sean Avery shares his two cents on “Heated Rivalry”Avery also weighed in on the runaway success of Heated Rivalry, the 2025 television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s queer hockey romance novel. The series has been a global hit on Crave and HBO Max and has sparked wide conversations about representation and the depiction of closeted athletes in hyper-masculine sports.The former Rangers enforcer mentioned that he thinks the show’s popularity could help shift perceptions.“Heated Rivalry’s success should open the door for the first gay NHL player, if there is one,” he said.He delivered both criticism and praise for the series’ on-ice realism.“I love Heated Rivalry,” he joked. “It’s the worst hockey show ever made, but the most incredible gay hockey show ever made. Sometimes I look away from the TV, it’s pretty graphic.”Avery admitted he hasn’t read the source novels quipping that the show alone is “enough to handle.”