After years of casual hookups whenever the other hockey player is in town or the All Star weekend finds them together, Shane and Ilya are confronted with the reality that things just might be getting real. When the pair spend what feels more like a domesticated day at Ilya’s house rather than the quick affairs they’re used to, Shane bolts.

Heated Rivalry' star Connor Storrie talks about his shirtless audition, unscripted kissing with Hudson Williams and the show's Season 2 renewal.

Heated Rivalry Season 1 Episode 5, titled I’ll Believe in Anything , is scheduled to premiere on Friday, December 19, 2025 exclusively on HBO Max. Each new installment becomes available at 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET on its Friday premiere date.

Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams tell TheWrap all about their breakout, gay Crave/HBO Max hockey romance drama, "Heated Rivalry"

Introduced in Heated Rivalry episode 4 as Connors, trans actor and real-life hockey trailblazer Harrison Browne tells Out he was almost not cast on the show at all.

This may come as a surprise to an American audience, but the Heated Rivalry relationship between the characters of Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and actress Rose Landry ( Yellowjackets star Sophie Nélisse) was not inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

In the emotionally charged hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry,’ Svetlana is played by actress Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova. Learn more about her role and career.