Streaming giant Netflix has announced an unmissable drama that is perfect for fans of Heated Rivalry.
The hit romance series Heated Rivalry was first release on Canadian streaming service Crave back in 2025 before becoming a worldwide hit when it was picked up in the US and UK. It has now been renewed for another season as fans eagerly await news on a release date.
But Netflix has now announced that a brand new drama is in the works, and it sounds perfect for Heated Rivalry fans. Titled The Sticks, the eight-episode series will take viewers to Minnesota where hockey is everything – that is, until a tragic loss changes everything.
A synopsis reads: “After tragedy shatters a small Minnesota hockey town, a grieving wife steps behind the bench of the team her husband built, guiding a found family of wounded young athletes through a season of loss, love, and rivalry that will decide whether South Dorothy has anything left to believe in, and who will lead it into its next chapter.”
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Who is in The Sticks cast?
It is not yet known when The Sticks will hit screens, but it will star Michelle Monaghan (True Detective) as Coach Harper as well a Emilie Bierre (Teacup) as Riley Sullivan.
Fans may also recognise Shai Chase (Diary of a Muslim Cynic) as Henry Sullivan, Josh Macqueen (Motorheads, Black Snow ) as Rhett Nelson and Costa D’Angelo (Tell Me Lies) as Owen Boone.
Also joining the cast will be:
- Carter Shimp (Best Medicine as Austin Ryder
- Ethan Holder (Ballard) as Cooper Cunningham
- Isaac Arellanes ( My Life with the Walter Boys ) as Manny Rodriguez
- Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) as Coach Brody Hansen
- Logan Marshall-Green (The Odyssey) as Coach Sully
- Alex MacIsaac (The Social Reckoning) as Emma Boone
There will also be plenty of familiar faces as recurring characters, and fans are already excited.
After Netflix shared behind the scenes pictures on X, one person commented: “A proper coming-of-age hockey series on Netflix is exactly the vibe we’ve been missing. The cast looks perfect already, 2027 cannot come soon enough!”
Another said: “A high school drama about a hockey team that stars #MichelleMonaghan and @ScottBakula ….and you want me to wait until 2027? I have no patience!!” A third penned: “Can 2027 arrive quickly?? I need this series now.”
Creator Nick Naveda told Tudum: “The Sticks is about a lot of things. Hockey, family, love, loss, class, and coming of all ages. But above all, it’s a story about community and the importance of taking care of one another.
“Seeing this terrific cast of actors bring their characters to life with such curiosity, empathy, and tenderness has been incredibly moving to watch, and I can’t wait for the world to meet the people of South Dorothy.”
The Sticks hails from Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps production company, following hits like Stranger Things as Bridget Bedard will also serve as showrunner and executive producer.
The Sticks will be coming to Netflix