The highly anticipated BL series, “Heated Rivalry,” adapted from Rachel Reid’s heart-stealing novel, finally kicked off its journey on November 28th like a storm! The secret and passionate rivalry-turned-love story between two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, met all my expectations with its first two episodes, completely hooking me to the screen. It’s no surprise that it has already become one of the most talked-about productions!
Now, let’s dive into the series’ characters, its plot intertwined with their professional lives, and its intense atmosphere, and of course, take a look at my first impressions! Get ready for the ice to melt!
Heated Rivalry Information
- Episodes: 6
- Aired: Nov 28, 2025 – Dec 26, 2025 (Fridays)
- Duration: ~45 min.
Original Network (Canada): 👉 Watch on Crave
International Streaming: 👉 Available on Max (HBO Max) and Prime Video
ℹ️ Note: Crave is the official original broadcaster in Canada, while Max distributes the series internationally. Availability may vary depending on your country, so be sure to check which platform works for you.
About the Game Changers Series
This book series is set in the professional hockey world and consists of independent stories, all within the same universe, that explore the theme of M/M romance. Heated Rivalry is the most beloved and popular story within this series. The Long Game (Book 6) is the sequel to Heated Rivalry.
Also, you’d be surprised to know that Ilya Rozanov is one of the most beloved M/M Romance book characters. 😄
Heated Rivalry Cast
Characters
Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander
Shane Hollander, born on May 10, 1991, is the captain of the Montreal Voyageurs team. He is known for his half-Canadian, half-Japanese heritage and is recognized as the “good Canadian boy”—an honest and loyal figure with an immaculate reputation. Behind this flawless professional stance lies a complex relationship with his fierce rival, Ilya Rozanov, which is shrouded in secrecy, passion, and rivalry. Fearing the risk to his career and public image, Shane is a deep character caught between his emotions and his responsibilities as captain.
Hudson Williams is a Korean-Canadian actor, born on February 13th, 2001. He is playing the lead role of Shane Hollander in the “Heated Rivalry” series, having previously appeared in episodic roles in shows like Allegiance and Tracker since starting his acting career in 2024.
Hudson Williams 📸 @HudsonWilliamsOfficial
Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov
Ilya Rozanov, born on June 15, 1991, is recognized as an ambitious, talented, and undisputed star on the ice. He is a Russian player who serves as the captain of the Boston Raiders team. Behind his seemingly cold and reserved professional image lies a complex and profound character who hides a secret and passionate relationship, spanning years, with his fierce rival, Shane Hollander.
Connor Storrie is an American actor, born on February 22nd, 2000, who plays the lead role of Ilya Rozanov in the “Heated Rivalry” series. Before this role, Storrie appeared in the 2024 film Joker: Folie à Deux and the 2023 series Tiny Beautiful Things, demonstrating his versatile acting skills.
Connor Storrie 📸 @connorstorrieofficial
Heated Rivalry Summary
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two of the brightest stars in Major League Hockey, destined to be rivals in every sense of the word. The crowds see them as enemies; their families and teams only fuel the rivalry.
Yet the fire that burns on the ice slowly becomes the biggest secret they carry off of it.
The pull between them grows quietly, turning into a hidden closeness neither of them expected. For eight years, they chase championships while simultaneously running from their own hearts. Suppressing their feelings is as difficult as accepting them.
In the unforgiving world of competitive sports, Shane and Ilya must confront one question: can real love survive in a place built on rivalry?
Heated Rivalry Official Trailer
✨ Ep 1 & 2 – My Review
I’m pretty impressed. As a slow romance fan, I’m absolutely thrilled to watch the story of a couple whose relationship develops slowly, deliberately, and over time, where I can deeply feel their emotional turmoil and tension, and see how they nurture genuine feelings for each other through small, subtle moments.
The time jumps in the first episode made me go, “Wait, what’s happening?” yet I loved the idea of a love that, despite the passing years, never diminishes and only grows stronger and more realistic. From their very first glances, it’s impossible not to feel the intense, magnetic pull between them. Even though they are constantly being compared to each other, they don’t let their personal ambitions turn into hostility. Shane, in particular, approaches Ilya—sometimes warm, sometimes cold, and a total wild card on the ice—with gentleness, care, and sincerity.
Watching the duo is truly a delight: Shane is cautious and shy, while Ilya is his complete opposite: bold, carefree, and flirtatious. And the NC scenes… they were daring and incredibly impactful. I lost count of how many times I had to pause while watching. Definitely a “watch alone” kind of experience 😄
Both characters carry the heavy pressure of being major stars, along with family and national responsibilities. This burden especially affects Ilya’s behavior. Having lost his mother, grown up under an authoritarian father in a loveless environment, and constantly dealing with a money-demanding older brother, he has experienced considerable misfortune in his family life. None of this justifies all his actions, but it’s clear he isn’t intentionally using Shane; even when he pulls away as Shane reaches out, his intentions aren’t malicious.
Even with time apart and periods of ignoring each other, when they come together, they completely lose themselves. Trying to satisfy their desires and longing only works for so long; Shane is the first to realize this — “We didn’t even kiss” 🙁
The scene that affected me the most in these first two episodes was Shane’s gaze while watching Ilya celebrate his victory on TV. He conveyed both the joy and the hurt that followed with a single look, showing the depth of his acting.
Like many others, I’m eagerly anticipating the jealousy, regret, and confession scenes.
Finally, hats off to the acting. The casting is perfect. Ilya is portrayed by Connor Storrie, who I genuinely thought was Russian—his accent and appearance are spot-on. And Huston Williams’ eyes… I loved them. They convey sadness, shyness, and happiness even without a single line, proving he’s a truly remarkable actor.
