Is "Heated Rivalry" Based on a True Story? All About the RealLife Hockey Players Who Inspired the Steamy Show Jordana ComiterDecember 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM 0 HBO Max Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry' Heated Rivalry — starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie — was released on HBO Max on Nov.
- - Is "Heated Rivalry" Based on a True Story? All About the Real-Life Hockey Players Who Inspired the Steamy Show
Jordana ComiterDecember 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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HBO Max
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry' -
Heated Rivalry — starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie — was released on HBO Max on Nov. 28
Based on Rachel Reid's popular novel series Game Changers, the series follows a secret fling between two of the National Hockey League's biggest stars over the span of eight years
The author revealed that she drew inspiration from many real-life pro hockey players
The only thing more intense than the competition in Heated Rivalry is the chemistry between its stars.
Adapted from author Rachel Reid's novel of the same name from her popular series Game Changers, Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov, two of the biggest stars in the National Hockey League who navigate an intense rivalry on the ice — and a steamy connection outside of the rink.
The LGBTQ+ romance-hockey drama was originally adapted for the Canadian streaming service Crave, and it was released on HBO Max on Nov. 28. Williams and Storrie are joined on-screen by François Arnaud, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova.
The Canadian limited series spans several hockey seasons, as the fresh-faced rookies' secret fling evolves into a "years-long journey of love, denial and self-discovery," per the synopsis.
In the acknowledgments of her novel, Reid wrote that she was "grateful to HBO" for producing 24/7, a documentary that followed the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals in 2011.
"The series planted the seed for this story all those years ago (not that the characters in this book are based on any actual people, of course)," she wrote.
So, who inspired Heated Rivalry? Here's everything to know about the real-life stories behind the series.
Is Heated Rivalry based on a true story?
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in 'Heated Rivalry'
Heated Rivalry is not based directly on a true story, but real-life people served as inspiration for the author.
"I never directly base my characters on any real people," Reid wrote on her website. "One of my inspirations for Heated Rivalry was, obviously, the extremely entertaining rivalry between [Sidney] Crosby and [Alexander] Ovechkin. But 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."
She continued, "My characters are original, and I work hard on creating them."
During a November 2025 appearance on CP24, Reid said there were "all these flashy European players," including Jaromír Jágr, Teemu Selänne, Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, who inspired Ilya's character.
For Shane, Reid drew inspiration from the players who are "more stoic, good boy captains," including Wayne Gretzky, Crosby and Paul Kariya. "Just the more role-modely types, I guess," she said.
Why are Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby rivals?
Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty
Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin during the 2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles
Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, first faced Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, on the ice in 2005. Two decades later, the pair have cemented themselves as one of the most entertaining rivalries in NHL history.
"It's pretty amazing how much time flies," Ovechkin told NHL.com in November 2024. "I think it's just cool stuff when my first couple years there was a rivalry like Ovechkin-Crosby and everybody was pumped about it -- the fans, you guys (the media). It would give you more motivation, more energy when you step on the ice."
Meanwhile, Crosby told NHL.com in November 2025 that he thinks their rivalry is "great for hockey."
"It was great when we first started playing against each other as far as just the rivalry and bringing the best out of everyone," the pro said. "I think it was great for hockey and still is."
During an April 2025 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Ovechkin opened up about the evolution of his relationship with Crosby.
"The first couple of years was not that good, but right now we talk, congratulate each other if we hit some milestones," Ovechkin said. "Those relationships is like, you know, from the battle to like in hockey and outside of hockey, it's total different thing."
The Russian pro continued, "After the game we always talk, we always chatting and yeah we have respect to each other."
Notably, although they are on-ice rivals, they don't have a real-life romance as Shane and Ilya do in Heated Rivalry. Ovechkin has been married to his wife, Anastasia Shubskaya, since 2016, while Crosby is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Kathy Leutner, per The Athletic.
What has author Rachel Reid said about the Heated Rivalry adaptation?
Harold Feng/Getty
Rachel Reid attends the premiere of 'Heated Rivalry' on Nov. 24, 2025, in Toronto
During her appearance on CP24, Reid shared her thoughts on seeing her novel hit the screen, saying, "I'm absolutely ecstatic with it."
"It's amazing. ... I couldn't have dreamed a better adaptation of it," she said. "I think fan expectations are sky-high and I think they're gonna be exceeded. I don't even know if fans are ready for how good this is."
Reid joined the show's cast at the Montreal premiere in November 2025 and shared photos on Instagram, writing, "I love everyone who made this show exist, and I still can't believe that it does!"
Where can I watch Heated Rivalry?
Courtesy Warner Bros.
'Heated Rivalry'
The first three episodes of Heated Rivalry are available to stream on HBO Max, with the remaining three being released weekly on Fridays.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 05, 2025 at 03:45PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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