Ice hockey podcast host responds to backlash after reportedly slamming Heated Rivalry as ‘trash’ 

Popular ice hockey podcast Empty Netters’ host has responded to backlash after text messages were published that appeared to show that he called Heated Rivalry’s creators “losers” and “cowards”.

However, host Dan Powers says his comments have been taken out of context.

Former hockey players and brothers Dan and Chris Powers’ podcast has seen a surge of attention and fans after their praise-filled reviews and reactions to Heated Rivalry. But a report from OutSports claims that behind-the-scenes texts paint a different picture.

“I think these losers who made this show are cowards,” Dan wrote in a private message seen by the outlet.

He is also said to have written: “This is the trash they make because it panders, it’s provocative, and it checks inclusivity boxes.”

Furthermore, he stated that the positive response was “making blue haired twitter happy.” He also added that he refused to give the show “the time of day” simply “out of principle.”

Since reviewing and talking about the show online, the Empty Netters‘ YouTube viewership has significantly increased. For instance, the top six highest-performing videos on their YouTube channel are all Heated Rivalry related.

‘No greater indictment of the current culture of inclusivity in hockey’

Furthermore, their recap and reviews of episodes one, five and six all have over 500,000 views.

In addition to their reactions, the podcast is selling $32 Heated Rivalry T-shirts and $45 crew neck jumpers.  The podcast had also received attention from Vulture and Rolling Stone for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the pro hockey league.

Following the article, fans of Heated Rivalry were furious.

“No greater indictment of the current culture of inclusivity in hockey than Empty Netters feigning queer allyship while secretly mocking and demeaning the people who were keeping their bills paid,” one person posted.

Others also pointed out the irony that Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid’s next book will see her beloved characters face backlash from a popular hockey podcast.

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Empty Netters Dan Powers responds to Heated Rivalry criticism

On Friday (23 January), Dan responded directly to the article in a nearly 18-minute video titled ‘Here Are The Texts’. 

He claimed: “This has caught me completely off guard and frankly is super disappointing. First of all, the timeline implied in this article is completely false and inaccurate.

“It suggests that we were watching this show, sending messages like this, while at the same time reviewing it, which is completely inaccurate.

“These messages were sent over a week before we had ever watched the show and before we had ever posted a review.”

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He also went on to explain that he knows the exact person to whom these messages were sent.

“It is a person who is a podcaster who is also talking about and raving Heated Rivalry,” he noted.

“It’s been very confusing and frankly crushing that this person would try to execute an attack like this on us when all we have done is love and appreciate the same show that he was.”

‘I’m so disappointed in the people at play here’

Dan went on to present the full text messages, offering his perspective on the entire controversy. 

As the video comes to a close, Dan states: “Please try and understand the context, what I was saying was not directed at the amazing people who made this show. It was totally taken out of context.

“Anyone who knows me or has interacted with me will show you that what you saw and what we experienced together was just the truth. It was so honest and authentic, I loved every second of it. I don’t want to lose that.”

“I’m so disappointed in the people at play here, Outsports being a site that is for the LGBTQ+ community to do something that is so harmful, that you know will possibly upset people or make people feel any doubt, I think that’s despicable. It’s the opposite of what [Heated Rivalry] and this whole moment was about.”