MONTREAL — The storied rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, a cornerstone of National Hockey League history, is getting a provocative makeover in the new Crave series Heated Rivalry, which premieres Friday on the Canadian streaming platform. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Halifax author Rachel Reid, the show reimagines the tension not through on-ice battles but through a clandestine romantic and sexual relationship between two star players from opposing teams.
In the series, the teams are fictionalized as the Montreal Metros and Boston Raiders, competing in the made-up Major League Hockey. The narrative centers on Shane Hollander, portrayed by Hudson Williams, a shy, soft-spoken Canadian of Asian descent playing for the Metros, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storie, a brash Russian forward for the Raiders. Selected first and second overall in the league draft, respectively, the two men develop a secret connection that unfolds over nearly eight years, marked by steamy encounters in hotel rooms across various cities.
Director and writer Jacob Tierney, a former Montrealer known for his work on films like The Trotsky and Good Neighbours, as well as the comedy series Letterkenny and its spin-off Shoresy, brings a bold approach to the adaptation. Speaking from Bell Media's headquarters in Toronto's former MuchMusic building on Queen Street West, Tierney emphasized the centrality of intimacy to the storyline. "Sex is a language for this show," he said in a phone interview this week. "This is how these two guys know each other, they know each other by having sex."
The first two episodes, the only ones screened for journalists so far, feature explicit sex scenes that Tierney describes as integral to character development. While there's no frontal nudity, the director leaves little to the imagination, making the series one of the most sexually charged offerings on streaming services. Tierney noted that the source material's "delightfully smutty" tone influenced his decision to adapt it. "Part of the reason that I loved the book and part of the reason that I wanted to adapt it is that the sex didn’t feel gratuitous to me," he explained. "This is story. This is how you watch this relationship — because the show takes place over almost eight years — you can see the way the relationship progresses by the way that they do this, by their intimacy."
The on-screen dynamic between Hollander and Rozanov mirrors real-life NHL rivalries, such as that between Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, with sports media amplifying the perceived animosity. Hollander's reserved demeanor contrasts sharply with Rozanov's caustic personality, fueling public narratives of competition while their private lives tell a different tale of passion and vulnerability.
Tierney acknowledged the challenges of producing such content in the current cultural climate, where sexually explicit stories involving same-sex relationships can face scrutiny. "That’s part of the reason the books were so popular and the people who got it, got it right away," he said. "But yeah, it’s not the easiest time for this kind of content, so that’s definitely a factor." Despite potential hurdles, Tierney highlighted the built-in audience driving the book's success: primarily women. "The audience for this book are women and it’s women that made this book a hit," he added. "Women are kind of our built-in audience and I think it’s hard for people to wrap their mind around it until they see it in action."
You see these things go viral on TikTok or Instagram or whatever and you see these hundreds of comments and they’re largely from women. They’re the ones that want this story, that want this book. And this is what the fans want. This is what they love about it.
The series has already generated significant online buzz, with its trailer inspiring a wave of TikTok videos paired with popular songs. Beyond Canada, Heated Rivalry has secured distribution deals with HBO for the United States and Australia, and it received coverage in The Hollywood Reporter this week, underscoring its growing international appeal.
This adaptation arrives against the backdrop of hockey's complex relationship with LGBTQ+ representation. Astonishingly, no player has ever come out as openly gay in the NHL's history, despite the league's global fanbase and cultural influence. Tierney suggested that the popularity of queer sports romance novels, particularly those centered on hockey and largely consumed by women, might stem from frustrations over the sport's slow progress on inclusivity. "Maybe that is a reaction against a perceived lack of progress in professional hockey," he remarked.
Tierney expressed uncertainty about how the hockey community will receive the series. "I think it will appeal to their wives," he quipped, acknowledging the niche yet passionate readership of Reid's book, which has sold thousands of copies. In a note to journalists, Tierney described Heated Rivalry as "my passion project, my baby," revealing its personal significance. As a gay man, he sees the show as a vital contribution to queer storytelling.
As gay people, we don’t get to see stuff like this. We don’t get sexy fun happy endings. We don’t get to see our characters sail off into the sunset in love. And we don’t get to see sex. I think that’s part of what’s so fun about this — to be able to put out something into the world that feels like queer joy. That makes me very happy. To put something out into the world that’s hopeful, fun, and sexy and gay.
The Montreal-Boston rivalry itself dates back to the NHL's early days, with the Canadiens and Bruins first facing off in 1924. Over the decades, it has produced iconic moments, from brawls to playoff heartbreaks, embodying the intense regional pride of Quebec and New England. By transplanting this tension into a romantic context, Heated Rivalry explores themes of forbidden love and identity in a high-stakes environment, where public personas clash with private truths.
Rachel Reid's original novel, part of her Game Changers series, has garnered a devoted following since its 2019 release, praised for blending sports drama with emotional depth and sensuality. The adaptation stays true to this spirit, with Tierney drawing on his experience in Montreal-shot projects to infuse authenticity into the hockey world depicted on screen. His transition from child actor in Montreal to acclaimed director adds layers to his vision for the series.
As streaming platforms increasingly diversify their content, Heated Rivalry positions Crave as a hub for bold Canadian storytelling. Owned by Bell Media, the service has hosted hits like Letterkenny, which Tierney helped shape, demonstrating his affinity for character-driven narratives set in unconventional milieus. The series' U.S. pickup by HBO, a powerhouse in premium content, signals potential for crossover success, much like other Canadian exports such as Schitt's Creek or The Handmaid's Tale.
Looking ahead, Tierney hopes the show sparks conversations about representation in sports. With no further episodes available for review yet, anticipation builds around how the full season will resolve the protagonists' arc amid escalating professional pressures. For now, Heated Rivalry stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of queer media, challenging stereotypes while celebrating the thrill of the game—both on and off the ice.
In the broader context of Canadian entertainment, the series arrives amid a flurry of cultural developments, including ongoing labor disputes at Montreal's public transit system and debates over Quebec's secularism laws. Yet, Heated Rivalry cuts through the noise with its unapologetic focus on joy and connection, offering viewers a fresh lens on one of hockey's most enduring rivalries.