New on HBO Max is one of the most anticipated book-to-screen adaptations of the year.
That book is Heated Rivalry, based on the second book of Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series, which tells the story of up-and-coming hockey prospects Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).
Hollander, a Canadian, anchors his national team and is drafted by the Montreal Metros. Meanwhile Russian Rozanov is drafted by the Boston Raiders. Being the top two picks, they are naturally pitted against one another as rivals, and behind the scenes they both face family challenges.
For Hollander, his mother and manager Yana (Christina Chang) is more concerned about his potential sponsorships, and for Rozanov he deals with pressures from his family and homeland. All-the-while, they both also deal with their sexuality in a sport, and for Rozanov a country, that isn’t accepting.
Starting at their rookie year in 2008, it’s shaping up to be hockey’s biggest rivalry on the field, but a sweat-filled workout paves the way for something a little closer behind doors…
Set over the course of eight years, the show jumps through time rather quickly, from months to hockey seasons, as the rivals share dirty texts and quick hook-ups while in the same cities. It’s clear that the duo care deeply, but navigating any sort of relationship outside of their rivalry is going to be difficult.
Creator Jacob Tierney uses the first two episodes to focus on Hollander and Rozanov’s relationship, with a smaller focus on their families, the teams, and even hockey.
Williams and Storrie have a great chemistry, and the spice in very much on point.
Heated Rivalry is TV’s sleeper hit of the year, and the perfect way to round-out your 2025 watching.
4 Stars
The first two episodes of Heated Rivalry are now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes every Friday until December 26.
