The lead actors from the well-known Canadian ice hockey series, “Heated Rivalry,” have been selected to participate as torchbearers at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, portraying Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the Crave-produced show, respectively, will carry the Olympic flame. Williams hails from Kelowna, British Columbia, while Storrie is of American descent.
In the series, Hollander and Rozanov, depicted as top hockey players with a fierce on-ice rivalry, face challenges as they navigate their off-ice emotions for each other. “Heated Rivalry” is set to premiere in Italy on February 1 on HBO Max, an official broadcaster for the Milan Cortina Games, with continued availability for Canadian viewers on Crave.
With just 16 days remaining until the Olympic opening ceremony on February 6, the torch’s journey is underway. Following its remarkable success on streaming services in Canada and the United States, “Heated Rivalry” has already been greenlit for a second season.
The series, comprised of six episodes, is an adaptation of the gay hockey romance book series “Game Changers” by Canadian author Rachel Reid. Jacob Tierney, a Canadian writer, is credited for the screen adaptation on Crave. Tierney, known for his work on the sitcom “Letterkenny” and involvement in the hockey comedy “Shoresy,” serves as co-writer, director, and executive producer of “Heated Rivalry.”
Additionally, a related video feature explores the impact of “Heated Rivalry” on Ottawa’s LGBTQ+ hockey community, shedding light on the show’s reception among local players.
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