Jesse Kortuem, Hockey Player, Comes Out

An Inspiring Testimony from a Former Player Moved by Inclusive Sports Media

Former hockey player Jesse Kortuem recently came out as gay, inspired by the success of Heated Rivalry, a celebrated work praised for its inclusive representation in sports. Although he never played in the National Hockey League (NHL), Kortuem played as a defender and center in various high-level leagues until the burden of his unrevealed identity led him to step away from the rink temporarily.

In an emotional statement shared on social media, he spoke of the duality he had long lived with: “On the outside, I appeared to be a high-level player. Inside, I was still that teenager in Minnesota who was hiding.” Kortuem told Out magazine that Heated Rivalry deeply affected him: “Many gay men — and many players still in the closet — in the hockey world are profoundly touched by the success of Heated Rivalry.” He never imagined that “such a positive and loving work could emerge from a sport perceived as so masculine.”

A Long-Delayed Revelation

In his message, Kortuem reflected on his years spent in the shadows, silenced by the dominant culture of hockey and the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in sports. He poignantly described the contrast between his love for the sport and the constant fear of not finding his place as a gay man.

Growing up in Minnesota, known as the “State of Hockey,” Kortuem spoke of a youth shaped by demands for performance and stereotypical gender identities prevalent in locker rooms. “I loved hockey, but I lived with a persistent fear. I wondered how I could be gay and continue in such a tough, masculine sport.”

Without role models or safe spaces, he made the difficult decision to leave his high school team at 17, severing ties with teammates he had grown up with on the ice.

Hockey as a Bridge to Self-Reconciliation

Years later, while playing in adult leagues in New York and Atlanta, Kortuem felt comfortable in his personal life but kept his orientation a secret in the locker rooms. Afraid that coming out might disrupt team dynamics, he chose to stay under the radar: “Even when conversations shifted to wives or dating, I would change the subject.”

This internal tension peaked in 2017. On the verge of quitting the sport altogether, he decided to join an LGBTQ+ hockey tournament in Las Vegas, the Sin City Classic, organized with support from the LA Blades. Everything changed when he found a community of gay players from across the U.S. and Canada — the Las Vegas Boyz — where he finally felt he belonged. “From that moment, my life was never the same.”

A Public Declaration to Inspire Others

Today, Jesse Kortuem claims to have found a peace he had sought for decades. At a recent event in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, with the Cutting Edges Hockey Club, he felt a sense of wholeness for the first time, donning a jersey that symbolized both his love for hockey and his belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.

In his statement, he declared, “There is room for all of us on the ice.” This is precisely the message he wants to convey to athletes still in the closet: an invitation to believe in better tomorrows and to dare to be their true selves.

A Testimony Filled with Hope

Jesse Kortuem’s journey is not meant to be universal but deeply personal and authentic. Through his story, he hopes to offer courage to those who continue to struggle to reconcile their identity with their passion. “You are not alone. A life — and a profound happiness — awaits you on your journey. You will get through this. And it’s going to be okay.”

His story is part of a broader movement to break taboos in sports, particularly in hockey, which is still frequently associated with rigid masculinity norms. Thanks to works like Heated Rivalry and figures like Kortuem, the face of hockey is gradually evolving towards greater inclusivity.