Heated Rivalry Season 1’s Timeline Explained

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The first season of Heated Rivalry is moving quickly, but it actually covers a lot of ground. The show, created by Jacob Tierney, stays pretty true to the original Game Changers novels by Rachel Reid. Plus, being available on HBO Max has helped Heated Rivalry gain a lot of positive attention in North America.

Fans are thrilled about season two of Heated Rivalry, and everyone is eager to find out what new characters and storylines will be added. While the show has already covered more than half of the overall story, it will continue to focus on Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

2008

Humble Beginnings

This steamy sports romance begins in December 2008 in Saskatchewan, right before the International Prospect Cup. Shane Hollander, a cheerful hockey player from Ottawa with Asian Canadian heritage, meets the reserved Ilya Rozanov, who was born in Moscow. Their first conversation is a bit clumsy and reveals they have very different personalities.

Following some playful banter, Russia beat Canada to win the championship, which is similar to the World Junior Hockey Championship. As the players shook hands after the game, Ilya took a moment to cheekily remind Shane about the upcoming MLH draft.

2009

Establishing The Titular Rivalry

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The novel Heated Rivalry draws heavily from actual events in the National Hockey League, particularly the 2009 draft. Russia’s unexpected win in the IPC tournament led to Ilya being the first player drafted, with Shane selected second. Despite both being promising newcomers, Shane is clearly upset about not being the top pick.

The story begins with a professional rivalry between Shane and Ilya, fueled by the opposing teams they play for – the Montreal Metros and the Boston Raiders. However, a surprising romantic connection starts soon after the team draft. They meet unexpectedly at the hotel gym and challenge each other to a bike race. Afterward, Shane feels an undeniable attraction to Ilya when they share a water bottle.

2010

The Romance Officially Starts

When Shane and Ilya started their professional hockey careers, the media and the league quickly positioned them as rivals. They were equally talented, and their games between the Metros and Raiders were always closely matched. However, everything shifted when the two competitors unexpectedly appeared in a commercial together.

After filming wrapped, the simmering attraction between Shane and Ilya finally boiled over when Ilya made a move in the showers. Shane was surprised, but later that night they ended up back at Shane’s hotel room. Ilya took the initiative, and they shared their first intimate encounter, releasing all the tension that had been building between them.

2011

The End Of An Eventful Rookie Season

The intimate encounter deeply affects Shane, but they don’t really talk again until the All-Star game in February 2011. They both compete in the same event, each setting new records, and Ilya invites Shane to his room again. They exchange phone numbers, but to keep their connection private, Ilya saves Shane’s contact as “Lily” and Shane saves Ilya’s as “Jane.”

In June 2011, Shane won Rookie of the Year at the MLH Awards. Later, he found Ilya alone on the roof, and they had a short disagreement. Shane thought Ilya was still upset about losing, but Ilya hinted that he was about to go back to Russia. Ilya then tried to kiss Shane, but Shane pushed him away, worried someone might see them.

2013

Heated Rivalry’s Secondary Couple Takes Center Stage

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For two years, Shane and Ilya communicate only through text messages, creating a strong sense of anticipation. This culminates in fall 2013 when they finally become intimate in an empty apartment building owned by Shane. Meanwhile, Scott Hunter, a player for the New York Admirals, meets Christopher “Kip” Grady, a barista at Straw+Berry, around the same time.

Kip, a history enthusiast juggling several jobs, is putting off applying to graduate school. Scott, a former hockey star, is now facing criticism for his declining performance. Despite initially flirting, their connection in Heated Rivalry quickly deepens, and they soon start sharing a home while choosing to keep their relationship private.

2014

Return To Russia & A Rough Patch

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Sadly, both couples began to struggle in early 2014. Kip grew frustrated with Scott’s reluctance to be open about his sexuality and decided he couldn’t wait any longer for him to come out. At the same time, Ilya started distancing himself from Shane after Russia’s disappointing showing at the 2014 Winter Olympics, as the stress of being back home and under his father’s authority became overwhelming.

Shane and Ilya met again in June 2014 after previously sharing the stage at the MLH Awards. Though Ilya had largely ignored Shane during that time, they had an emotional argument that unexpectedly led to a casual encounter. Afterwards, Ilya asked Shane to leave, and Shane suddenly understood how strong his feelings for Ilya actually were, realizing with sadness that they hadn’t even kissed during their time together.

2016

Shane Distances Himself From Ilya

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I watched as Shane and Ilya kept meeting in secret from 2014 to 2016, always pushing each other hard on the ice. It was clear Ilya was starting to fall for Shane, but Shane was really buckling under the weight of being the Metros’ leader. Everyone around him had expectations, and it was tough to see. What really struck me was how Ilya just got Shane, understanding him in a way others didn’t.

The dynamic of intense competition, represented by the ‘Heated Rivalry’ concept, is evident when Ilya invites Shane to stay with him in Boston. During a sexual encounter, Shane and Ilya, who had previously only referred to each other by their chosen pseudonyms (‘Hollander’ and ‘Rozanov’), unexpectedly use each other’s real names. This sudden intimacy surprises Shane, causing him to pull away and create distance between himself and Ilya.

Shortly after, in the fall of 2016, Shane begins dating actress Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse), and their relationship quickly becomes public. While they appear to be a perfect match to others, Shane still seems to harbor feelings for Ilya, even if he isn’t fully aware of it.

What’s Next, According To The Books

The Real Action Is Only Just Kicking Off

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Even though the show Heated Rivalry has made some changes from the original books, certain important scenes are expected to stay true to the source material. Specifically, Shane and Rose’s relationship will end quickly but peacefully, and Ilya will face his father’s death and express his feelings for Shane in Russian.

Get ready for some major moments! Scott and Kip will share a groundbreaking kiss that will be all anyone in the hockey world is talking about. Meanwhile, Ilya will visit Shane at his secluded cottage and suggest they officially start a relationship, even if they keep it private for now. To prepare for the events of season 2 in The Long Game, Ilya will also be relocating from Boston to Ottawa.

Some minor changes to the order of events or the story details are possible, but the core story of Heated Rivalry is just getting started and the overall outcome will stay the same.

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2025-12-16 16:41