On the first day of the 2026-27 NHL regular season, the Canadian production company behind Heated Rivalry has launched The Irina Foundation. Accent Aigu Entertainment (AAE) made the announcement on Instagram on September 29th. And it’s “a new initiative dedicated to championing inclusivity and mental well-being by creating opportunities for people to connect through sports and arts.”
The private independent fund will have a focus on LGBTQIA2S+ and underserved communities. And the foundation’s name is inspired by the in-book foundation created by Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series. The official description also added, “It’s also about turning the sense of belonging we’ve found in this community into something that can create meaningful change in the real world. ❤️”
Reid herself commented on the launch of the foundation by saying in the comments, “I’m so excited about this. It means so much ❤️.” And in case you didn’t know, show creator Jacob Tierney founded the production company AAE alongside Brendan Brady. They said in a statement: ““For many of us, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen on a team, in a studio or on a stage —places where we find our people, discover what lights us up and feel like we belong. […] We’ve been incredibly lucky to build something we love and along the way find a community that means so much to us. The Foundation is our way of giving back.”
The Irina Foundation will see Kate Spade New York as the foundation’s inaugural donor, with Harry’s, a company that manufactures men’s personal care products, as an early supporter.
For those who need a refresher, The Irina Foundation was a namesake in honor of Ilya’s late mother, Irina. She struggled with severe mental health illness. And Shane and Ilya created the foundation to provide resources and bring awareness to mental health organizations. Ever since then, it’s become a touchstone for fans of the books, the show, and those who understand the importance of supporting those struggling with their mental health.
