The Canadian actor Jack Innanen has quietly fed speculation about joining the cast of Heated Rivalry season 2. While on the press circuit to promote the Netflix series Big Mistakes, created by Dan Levy, Innanen confirmed he had been in contact with people connected to the hockey drama. He described those exchanges with a playful coyness, noting “I’ve had some… conversations. We’ve chatted” and refusing to confirm anything more than a possible interest.
Fans have seized on his remarks because they already imagined him in the show’s expanding roster. Much of the online buzz pairs Innanen with two characters from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels: Troy Barrett and Wyatt Hayes. The actor himself leaned into the chatter, joking about his hockey background and the training he has been doing off camera, which only sharpened fan enthusiasm.
What Innanen actually said and the context
Innanen, who is reported to be 27 and is Canadian, spoke with Entertainment Tonight while promoting other projects. He did not announce a contract or a fixed role, but his remarks were specific enough to prompt headlines: he acknowledged direct contact with the creative team and implied openness to joining. When pressed, he mimed zipping his lips and replied, “Who knows?” That mix of confirmation and playful secrecy has become a familiar part of modern casting drama, where a hint can ignite months of fan speculation.
His preparation and public responses
Beyond the verbal hinting, Innanen has signalled his readiness in other ways. He referenced having grown up around hockey and described practicing stick handling and mobility drills—small details that matter in a series that foregrounds the rink. He even posted lighthearted messages aimed at the showrunner and shared self-recorded clips, a form of informal audition and publicity rolled into one. These gestures, combined with his on-screen charisma, make him an easy fit for fans imagining his inclusion.
Which characters are fans imagining him as?
Two names dominate the fan wish lists. Wyatt Hayes is depicted in the books as a friendly, well-liked goalie who plays for the Ottawa Centaurs; he exists as a recurring figure in the wider universe. Troy Barrett, by contrast, anchors a central storyline in one of the later novels and is more directly involved in an emotionally charged arc with another character, Harris Drover. Readers familiar with the source material have suggested Innanen could credibly portray either role.
Why each role appeals to fans
Casting him as Wyatt Hayes would place Innanen within the ensemble and keep him close to the main duo without necessarily making him a driving force in their relationship. Casting him as Troy Barrett, however, would likely position him as a significant addition to the central narrative. A recently circulated casting detail reportedly sought characters from the book titled Role Model, which intensified assumptions that players like Troy would feature in the new season. Fans have debated whether a missing Troy listing in public calls means the part is quietly spoken for.
Production realities and fan dynamics
Several practical factors shape why Innanen has emerged as a popular choice. The series is produced in Canada, and industry incentives often favour hiring Canadian performers, making a Toronto‑area actor with hockey experience an appealing option. Also, the show benefits from stars who can handle media circuits and online fan culture; Innanen’s playful interview style and social media engagement fit that requirement. From a production standpoint, casting someone who can credibly skate and handle hockey choreography reduces the need for body doubles or extensive training periods.
Fan culture as casting pressure
The intense online community surrounding Heated Rivalry treats every hint as a potential scoop. What begins as fan-casting or hopeful posts can ripple into genuine industry chatter. Innanen’s open acknowledgement of talks, combined with visible preparation and promotional savvy, feeds that cycle. Still, representatives for the show and actor have not issued an official confirmation, leaving the story in a familiar limbo between hint and announcement.
For now, viewers and readers are left to speculate. Whether Innanen signs on as Troy Barrett, Wyatt Hayes, or another new player, his comments have already sparked widespread discussion and helped set expectations for an expanded second season. Until casting is formally announced, the combination of fan imagination and discreet industry conversations will likely continue to shape how the next chapter of Heated Rivalry is talked about online and in press rounds.