By: Margot Dragos & Renae Visico
Who would’ve thought that a gay hockey show from Canada would take over our social media feeds and alter our lives forever?
“Heated Rivalry,” out of the thousands of shows available at our fingertips, has become a massive success. This is because watching a show about pure, queer joy gives us a much-needed reprieve from the world. In a time where political uncertainty, discrimination, and sexism run rampant, Heated Rivalry’s optimism and representation are super refreshing and important now more than ever.
“Heated Rivalry”, created by Jacob Tierney, is a fictional television series about the steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance between the rival hockey players Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. It is based on and named after the second book in Rachel Reid’s book series, “Game Changers.” However, the show’s popularity has extended far beyond the fans of the books.
Originally supposed to have a small release on the Canadian streaming service, Crave, the show exceeded expectations across the border and was picked up by HBO Max to begin streaming in the States. Now, fans across the world are posting about the show and even hosting watch parties in local bars.
What makes “Heated Rivalry” so refreshing overall is that it’s an unabashedly queer story that doesn’t end in tragedy.
That doesn’t mean that homophobia isn’t present or a real threat. Shane and Ilya play for the National Hockey League, a notoriously conservative sports league, at a time when queerness wasn’t as normalized as it is today. But ultimately, Shane and Ilya don’t let these circumstances stop them from being true to themselves and to each other. Their journey, of course, wasn’t linear, but that only made it more realistic and emotionally rewarding when they finally decided to devote themselves to each other.
Too many queer people, whether youth or adults, feel unsafe coming out to their parents for fear of rejection or abandonment. But Shane’s parents, Yuna and David Hollander, are unconditionally accepting of him and Ilya right off the bat.
“What I love about this particular story is that it’s also showcasing what is possible and maybe taking the shock value out of it,” said Christina Chang, who plays Yuna, in an interview with TV Guide. “It’s not to underline that moment. I think it’s more to normalize it. That’s my hope, anyway, for any parent watching the show.”
And it’s not just queer people being represented by this show. Shane is also half-Japanese and autistic, and “Heated Rivalry”’s showrunners weave all of his identities together as subtle yet meaningful parts of his character.
Tierney expands on the novel’s exploration of Shane’s Asian identity, especially in regard to showing the added pressure he faces to succeed. Asian athletes will inevitably look up to the only Asian hockey player in a predominantly white sport, and while Shane usually succeeds on the ice, it’s beautiful to see him also succeed on his own terms without ignoring his feelings.
While not autistic himself, Hudson Williams clearly put lots of love and care into his portrayal of Shane as a high-masking autistic, shown in the way his eyes communicate his true intentions, or the way he responds to Ilya’s flirting a little too literally.
Autistic people in media are mainly portrayed with exaggerated movements, so it was very refreshing to see the equally important subtle ways that autism presents itself through Shane.
Ilya Rozanov is an immigrant from Russia who lives and works in the USA on a work visa. He reflects experiences of navigating a foreign language and familial pressure to succeed shared by many first-generation immigrants. During an administration that threatens the existence and rights of immigrants, it’s important to see Ilya receive unconditional love for every part of himself that he didn’t know he needed.
The love and care put into “Heated Rivalry” have made queer people feel seen and understood. Hudson Williams shared on Andy Cohen Live that closeted pro athletes have anonymously reached out to Rachel Reid with messages of gratitude, sharing how the show has mirrored their own experiences.
Jesse Korteum, a hockey player who took a long break from the sport because he couldn’t feel accepted, recently came out as gay and cited “Heated Rivalry” as an inspiration for that decision.
“I want [queer athletes] to know that there is hope and you’re not alone,” Korteum said in his Instagram post. “There is a life and a deep happiness waiting for you on your path. You will get through this, and it is going to be okay.”
The depiction of Shane and Ilya’s relationship has resonated with women as well. Their relationship is one where both men aren’t afraid to express their love for one another and show their vulnerability. The intimate scenes between the two characters are ones where both parties practice consent, and neither party is made to feel degraded or uncared for.
Cosmopolitan further explored this topic when they asked women why they couldn’t get enough of Heated Rivalry.
“Women in heterosexual relationships are so used to being devalued by their partner, and their sexual pleasure isn’t always prioritized,” said Annie, one of Cosmopolitan’s surveyees. “It’s just nice to watch smut where nobody is being degraded or devalued, and the pleasure of both parties is the top priority.”
“At a time when women’s sexuality, identities, and bodies are policed and surveilled to the utmost extreme, ‘Heated Rivalry’ provides what we all yearn for: meaningful, exhilarating intimacy full of tenderness and desire,” Sarah, another Cosmopolitan surveyee, told Cosmopolitan.
Women aren’t used to being fully valued in their sexual relationships and even their daily lives. Particularly for straight women, it is rare to see men be vulnerable in relationships when toxic masculinity is so prevalent. “Heated Rivalry” allows women to suspend their disbelief for the duration of the show and explore a world where male athletes are able to be vulnerable with each other, and sex is always pleasurable and consensual for all parties involved.
“Heated Rivalry” also allows us to take a much-needed break from the news and politics. The show aired in late 2025, a year where 51% of Project 2025 had been implemented throughout the United States. Fans have expressed this sentiment on Reddit, saying that “Heated Rivalry” is “the best distraction from U.S. politics ever.”
While there continues to be uncertainty throughout our country, finding something else to obsess about that isn’t whether or not democracy will exist tomorrow is necessary in keeping our sanity. As DEI is ridiculed and threatened, it is increasingly important for the media to represent those from diverse backgrounds in an accurate, meaningful way.
We wish that more queer youth could experience the joy that is Shane and Ilya’s journey. But while “Heated Rivalry” isn’t targeted towards adolescents, it communicates messages that many adults have needed to hear.
Shane and Ilya met at seventeen and only committed to each other at twenty-six. In the span of nine years, they have struggled to grapple with their identities in an environment where they’re pressured to have everything figured out, and they have emerged victorious.
“Heated Rivalry” is a warm hug to anyone who has ever felt like they’re falling behind or that it’s too late to embark on a journey to figure themselves out. It shows us that it’s never too scary or too late to create the life for yourself that you love.
In the last episode of the series, Shane and Ilya spend their summer in a secluded cottage in Canada, where they can embrace their relationship without worrying about the outside world or what others may think of them.
In a way, “Heated Rivalry” is our cottage: a place where we can be a fandom, see true diversity, and experience queer love without the reality of our world getting in the way.