Heated Rivalry Season 1's Timeline Explained

The first season of Heated Rivalry flew by in just five episodes, but the sports romance covers more time than you may think. The Canadian platform Crave brought Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels to life as a steamy, romantic TV show. Just nine days before its release, HBO Max picked up Heated Rivalry for the United States, Australia, and Europe.

Immediately after its release, Heated Rivalry became a worldwide phenomenon, and it’s all folks could talk about on social media. The show was so successful that the two actors presented together at the 83rd Golden Globes, and they worked together on a romantasy erotica audio story. Unsurprisingly, HBO Max announced only two-thirds into the first season that Heated Rivalry season 2 would happen.

Heated Rivalry season 2 will explore the relationship between Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) now that they’re finally dating. Although their timeline is over halfway done, Shane and Ilya’s story is far from finished. The duo will go through many relationship struggles. At the same time, their beautiful romance will continue making folks swoon everywhere.

2008

Humble Beginnings

The spicy sports romance starts in December 2008, when the main characters first meet in Saskatchewan just before the International Prospect Cup. Shane Hollander, an Asian Canadian hockey player hailing from Ottawa, cheerfully introduces himself to the brisk, Moscow-born Ilya Rozanov. The main pairing’s first interaction is stilted and awkward, quickly establishing their clashing personalities.

After a small bit of trash talk, Russia proceeds to defeat Canada and win Heated Rivalry’s equivalent of the World Junior Hockey Championship. As the teams line up to shake hands after the game, Ilya lingers to smugly remind Shane about the upcoming MLH draft.

2009

Establishing The Titular Rivalry

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Much of Heated Rivalry was inspired by real-life events in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the monumental draft that took place in June 2009. Thanks to Russia’s clutch IPC win, Ilya is the round one draft pick while Shane is the runner-up. Although both are highly-valued rookie players, Shane’s disappointment with being number two is obvious.

The draft sets up their professional rivalry, rooted in their teams, the Montreal Metros and Boston Raiders, but Shane and Ilya’s first romantic spark happens shortly after the draft. The two cross paths by chance in the hotel gym and race each other on stationary bikes. Afterward, Shane finds himself inexplicably attracted to Ilya as they share a water bottle.

2010

The Romance Officially Starts

Ilya and Shane take a shower together in Heated Rivalry season 1 — Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams take a shower together in Heated Rivalry season 1

As Shane and Ilya begin their professional major league hockey careers, they are forced into diametric opposition by the press and the league itself. Both show tremendous skill, remaining neck-and-neck each time the Metros and Raiders play each other. Yet, everything changes after the renowned rivals film a commercial together.

Shane and Ilya’s sexual tension reaches a breaking point after filming, when Ilya propositions Shane in the showers. Though the Canadian is initially taken aback, the pair reunite in Shane’s hotel room later that night. Ilya takes the lead, and the two hook up for the first time, breaking the dam on their pent-up attraction.

2011

The End Of An Eventful Rookie Season

Shane and Scott talk while wearing tuxes at an event in Heated Rivalry season 1 — Hudson Williams and Francois Arnaud talk while wearing tuxes at an event in Heated Rivalry season 1

The sexual encounter leaves Shane reeling, but the pair don’t meaningfully interact again until the league’s All-Star game in February 2011. They compete in the same event, giving back-to-back record-breaking performances, and Ilya gives Shane his room number for another rendezvous. The two swap numbers, with Ilya saved as “Lily” and Shane saved as “Jane” to maintain anonymity.

In June 2011, Shane takes home Rookie of the Year at the MLH Awards. When he finds Ilya alone on the rooftop, the two briefly argue. Shane assumes the other is upset about losing, but Ilya alludes to his imminent return to Russia. This becomes much more meaningful later in the series when we get to see the pressure Ilya faces from his family and the social expectation to be straight.

When Ilya proceeds to kiss him, Shane pushes him away for fear of being seen. Ilya already knows that he’s bisexual and isn’t concerned about being seen. However, Shane still hasn’t fully realized his sexuality, let alone accepted it. If he can’t accept that he’s gay, there’s no way he wants that leaked.

2013

Heated Rivalry’s Secondary Couple Takes Center Stage

Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.) looking intimate in Heated Rivalry episode 3.

Shane and Ilya exclusively text each other over the next two years, building anticipation until fall 2013, when they have sex for the first time in Shane’s empty apartment building. Around the same time, Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) of the New York Admirals first meets Christopher “Kip” Grady (Robbie G.K.), a smoothie barista at Straw+Berry.

Kip is a history lover who works multiple jobs while procrastinating on his grad school application, and Scott is a once-great hockey player whose lackluster performance has come under public scrutiny. After some frequent flirting, Scott and Kip’s relationship in Heated Rivalry quickly progresses, with the couple practically moving in together but agreeing to date in secrecy.

Although they love each other, the need for secrecy puts a strain on their relationship. Kip was previously very social, but he’s now withdrawing from his friendships. Eventually, Kip goes to celebrate his birthday with his friends, and Scott watches through the window, realizing that Scott can’t give Kip the public relationship he deserves.

2014

Return To Russia & A Rough Patch

Ilya Rozanov looks at his phone in Heated Rivalry — Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov

Unfortunately, both couples go off the rails in early 2014. Months of bottled-up emotions catch up to Kip, who decides he can’t wait years for Scott to come out of the closet. Similarly, after Russia’s abhorrent performance in the 2014 Winter Olympics, Ilya ices Shane out as the pressure of being home and under his father’s control gets to him.

During his time in Russia, Ilya reunites with his first male sexual partner, signifies his childhood friendship with Svetlana (Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova), and establishes his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

In June 2014, Shane and Ilya reconnect after co-presenting an award at the MLH Awards. Despite Ilya ignoring Shane throughout the season, a tearful confrontation leads to an apathetic hookup. After Ilya kicks him out, Shane partially realizes the depth of his own feelings when he dejectedly notes that he and Ilya didn’t kiss during sex.

2016

Shane Distances Himself From Ilya

Sophie Nélisse sipping a drink as Rose Landry in Heated Rivalry episode 4.

From 2014 to 2016, Shane and Ilya continue their clandestine meetings and competitive rivalry on the ice. Ilya gradually begins to understand his romantic feelings for Shane, but the latter is struggling with the immense pressure of leading the Metros. While his loved ones overwhelm him with expectations, Ilya displays his intrinsic understanding of Shane.

Heated Rivalry’s ginger ale metaphor comes into play when Ilya plans for Shane to stay at his home in Boston. Rather than having to ask for ginger ale, Ilya already has it prepared for him, and he takes the beverage he wants for the first time. They have some extremely sweet interactions at Ilya’s house, and it’s clear Ilya is falling for Shane.

During sex, Shane and Ilya — who, up to this point, had exclusively been “Hollander” and “Rozanov“— call each other by their first names. Startled by the intimacy, Shane flees the next morning and distances himself from Ilya.

Almost immediately thereafter, in fall 2016, Shane meets actress Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse) and enters into a highly-publicized relationship with her. Shane and Rose seem like a perfect couple from the outside, but it’s clear that part of Shane is, at least subconsciously, still yearning for Ilya.

2017

Shane & Ilya Start A Relationship

While earlier parts of the timeline were very brief, 2017 takes the most time in Heated Rivalry season 2, spanning two entire episodes. Although the distance between them grew in 2016, the final two episodes span from January 2017 to July 2017 and set the pieces in place for Ilya and Shane to finally end up together. This includes breakups, tough conversations, and a really awkward meal.

Rose figures out that Shane is gay and asks him about it when they go to a restaurant. Although they stay friendly, Shane and Rose’s relationship comes to a swift but amicable end. When they both arrive at the All-Stars game, Ilya asks whether Shane is still with Rose, and he says no.

Ilya and Shane play on the same team at the All-Star game, during which they flirt back and forth. They meet up on the beach afterward and sit together in the sunset, touching hands. Shane asks for Ilya’s room number, and they meet up.

Shane apologizes for freaking out the last time they were together, and he comes out as gay. Shane asks whether Ilya would want to be with him, and Ilya gets mad. He explains the cultural implications of being gay in Russia. This is a major turning point for the couple because it shows that their issues extend beyond the NHL stigma.

Later, Ilya deals with his father’s death. When Shane supports Ilya over the phone, Ilya confesses his love to Shane in Russian. Not long after, Ilya and Shane’s teams are going up against each other again. Shane gets injured and ends up in the hospital. When Ilya comes to visit him, Shane asks him to meet up at his private cottage.

Scott and Kip have a historic on-camera kiss that sends shockwaves throughout the hockey league, and then Scott confirms his sexuality while accepting an award. This gives Ilya the confidence to agree to go to the cabin. While there, Ilya and Shane start an official relationship. They make a plan for Ilya to join the team in Ottawa after the season is up.

However, neither of them is prepared when Shane’s parents show up. After a really uncomfortable moment, the four of them have one of the most awkward sit-downs on TV.

What We Know About Heated Rivalry Season 2’s Timeline Based On The Books

The Real Action Is Only Just Kicking Off

Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.) and Elena Rygg (Nadine Bhabha) eating popcorn at a hockey game in Heated Rivalry episode 3.

Rachel Reid’s first book spans a decade, and the TV show follows it pretty closely, starting in 2008 and ending in 2017. The sequel, The Long Game, skips forward three years. If Heated Rivalry season 2 continues its faithful adaptation approach, the show will pick up in July 2020 and run until July 2021.

As teased at the end of Heated Rivalry season 1, Ilya moves from Boston to Ottawa. They have also started their foundation. The Long Game’s start marks eleven seasons of keeping things a secret. Seven of them, Ilya and Shane secretly hooked up. Three of them are in a committed relationship.

Connor Storrie told fans in the season 2 announcement that they should read The Long Game if they want spoilers. This hints that they’ll follow the books closely.

As always, possible tweaks will be made to the chronology or narrative itself, but the big picture remains the same: the true drama of Heated Rivalry has only just begun. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting until April 2027, which is the official release timeframe for season 2 of the Crave show.