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Heated Rivalry is heating up TV screens across North America, as the scandalous gay hockey drama heads into its final episodes of its debut season.
The show has stirred up buzz with critics and social media users alike since it debuted on HBO Max last month, with viewers commenting on everything from the juicy storylines to the on- and off-screen chemistry between co-stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Based on the bestselling “Game Changers” book series from author Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry follows rival hockey players Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) as they navigate the spotlight as young athletes while dealing with a budding — if confusing — romance. Between the raunchy sex scenes and risque dialogue, Heated Rivalry turns sports and TV tropes on their heads, making for lust-see TV.
Is Heated Rivalry Based on a True Story?
While viewers have questioned if Heated Rivalry is based on a true story, Reid has insisted that her series is completely fictional, writing on her website that “I never directly base my characters on any real people.”
Fans have speculated that the Russian hunk Ilya and Canadian hero Shane are based on the Washington Capitals’ star Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (who are Russian and Canadian, respectively), and Reid admits that “one of my inspirations for Heated Rivalry was, obviously, the extremely entertaining rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin.” But, she’s quick to add that, “I was also inspired by other sports rivalries, by other fictional stories, and by my love of the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden romance tropes.”
READ BOOK BEHIND THE SHOW
Heated Rivalry: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 2)
“My characters are original,” Reid says, “and I work hard on creating them.”
Are There Gay Players in the NHL?
While there are currently openly gay athletes in sports like diving, figure skating and gymnastics, there haven’t been many out athletes in major league sports like baseball, football or hockey. But for former NHL star Sean Avery, the possibility of a gay relationship blossoming between two professional hockey players isn’t completely far-fetched.
“I don’t know firsthand of any gay players past or present,” the retired New York Rangers forward tells Rolling Stone. “That being said, I do think I must have had a gay closeted teammate at some point in my career.”
Avery has long been an ally for the LGBTQ community, famously appearing in a video for Human Rights Campaign in 2011 to advocate for same-sex marriage, and the athlete says he hopes the positive buzz surrounding Heated Rivalry can remove the stigma of hockey players coming out. “Heated Rivalry’s success should open the door for the first gay NHL player, if there is one,” he says.
The hockey star cautions that nobody should be forced to come out, adding that social media whispers can often do more harm than good, despite positive intentions. Avery says athletes have “adapted, and understand how to navigate and protect themselves much better today” from gossip and social media chatter. And while he’s open to critiquing plays on the ice, he offers a reminder that any relationship, whether gay or straight, should never be up for public scrutiny. “Relationships in general are hard these days for everyone,” he says. “Pro athletes have insecurities. These guys are human.”
Leslie Cohen and Sean Avery attend Authors Night 2025 With East Hampton Library on August 09, 2025 in East Hampton, New York
Getty Images for East Hampton Li
Though Heated Rivalry may not be based on any real-life hockey couples, Avery admits it’s a fun watch, even if the on-ice scenes don’t match the intensity of an actual NHL game. “I love Heated Rivalry,” he says. “It’s the worst hockey show ever made, but the most incredible gay hockey show ever made. Sometimes I look away from the TV,” he adds; “it’s pretty graphic.”
Avery says he has yet to read the “Heated Rivalry” novels — “The show is enough for me to handle,” he teases – but the retired NHL star knows a thing or two about horny hockey books, after having released the salacious beach read, “Summer Skate,” in September (you can even hear the athlete read the audiobook himself here).
ALSO WORTH READING
Summer Skate: A Novel
A book about a New York Rangers tough guy falling for a journalist and author, “Summer Skate” heats up the pages with a story about lust, longing and a forbidden off-season fling in the Hamptons.
Of course, with Avery as co-author (along with Leslie Cohen), the release of “Summer Skate” also begs the question: was it inspired by real-life events? The former New York Rangers tough guy plays coy, while offering up some self-endorsement for readers who need a book to read after “Heated Rivalry.”
“‘Summer Skate’ is the most authentic hockey romance novel ever written,” he offers. “If you want to see behind the curtain on what really happens during the NHL off-season, then ‘Summer Skate’ is the next romance novel you should read.”
You can pick up a copy of “Summer Skate,” on sale now at Amazon. The hockey romance novel is available on paperback, for Kindle or as an audiobook through Audible. A bonus: Audible is currently running a deal that gets you three months of access for just $0.99/month.
Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers’ series, meantime, features six books (with more rumored to be on the way). You can read or purchase them all on Amazon below. You can also listen to them on audiobook with the Audible deal.
Game Changer: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 1)
The book that started it all, “Game Changers” tells the story of New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter and his juice bar barista Kip Grady.
Tough Guy: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 3)
Book 3 tells the story of pro hockey star Ryan Price, who may be an enforcer on the ice, but is struggling with his feelings off the ice for aspiring musician and former classmate Fabian. As the book description teases, “Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and the chemistry between them has only intensified.”
Common Goal: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 4)
Book 4 in the series focuses on the budding relationship between goaltender Eric Bennett and grad student Kyle Swift. The latter is swearing off romance after dealing with a recent breakup, but the sexy older hockey star may have him changing his mind.
Role Model: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 5)
Book 4 features a whole new romance between Troy Barrett and his team’s social media manager, Harris Drover. “Harris doesn’t give up on people easily,” a book description states, “even when he’s developing a crush he’s sure is one-sided.” But it isn’t long before Troy starts to reciprocate Harris’ feelings.
The Long Game: A Spicy Gay Hockey Romance (Game Changers Book 6)
Shane and Ilya return for Book 6 in Reid’s Game Changers series, as the action picks up ten years after they first got together. Could this book inspire a second season of Heated Rivalry? The showrunners and stars have kept mum for now, but fans are no doubt hoping for more.