The streaming series Heated Rivalry has skated far beyond its niche origins to become a genuine global sensation. For many in Canada, the show's success is a point of profound national pride, offering a fresh and inclusive vision for a sport often shadowed by a troubled past.
A Canadian Story, Told From the Periphery
Adapted from Rachel Reid's 2019 bestselling novel, the series delves into the intense relationship between two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Their story, however, is rooted in a deeply Canadian experience. Author Reid, a Nova Scotian, and writer-director Jacob Tierney, from Montreal, channel their lifelong passion for hockey into a narrative that consciously reimagines the sport's possibilities.
This reframing is significant. Ice hockey, while a national obsession, carries a legacy of racism, misogyny, and homophobia. As recently as July of last year, five junior hockey players were acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault case. Notably, the National Hockey League (NHL) still does not have an openly gay player. The league's response to the show's popularity was notably cautious, merely calling it a "unique driver for creating new fans."
Heated Rivalry directly challenges this status quo. It is an outsider's tale that resonates with how many Canadians see themselves on the world stage. The series joins other beloved Canadian exports like Schitt's Creek in finding strength and universal appeal by telling stories from the margins.
Elbows Up: Protecting the Story's Heart
The production itself faced challenges familiar to Canadian creatives. Tierney has spoken about studio pitches where major changes were demanded, such as downplaying the romance's eroticism or shifting focus away from the central gay relationship. In resisting these pressures, Tierney employed a quintessentially hockey strategy: he kept his "elbows up."
This phrase, popularised as a national rallying cry by former Prime Minister Mark Carney, originates from hockey legend Gordie Howe. It signifies both defence and assertive strength. Tierney used it to shield the story's core, ensuring the adaptation remained faithful to its source. The result is a series brimming with Canadian authenticity, from a shared ginger ale to an iconic trip to a lakeside cottage.
The casting of Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Storrie as Ilya has been met with widespread acclaim. Their chemistry is palpable, and their cheeky shoutout to "the mums and daughters" watching at the Golden Globes on 11 January highlighted the show's broad, cross-generational appeal.
A Cultural and Economic Phenomenon
The impact of Heated Rivalry extends far beyond streaming metrics. There is swelling pride that it is an all-Canadian production by the streaming service Crave, a fact fans are quick to correct online when it's mistakenly credited to American platforms.
This national pride has tangible effects. Tourism agencies in Ottawa and Hamilton are actively promoting locations featured in the show, a refreshing change from serving merely as a backdrop for American productions. The series has also triggered a remarkable commercial resurgence for the original books. Sales for Reid's novel are up 5,805% since the show aired, according to Indigo, Canada's national book chain. The pre-order for the next book in the series, Unrivaled, is already the chain's biggest romance pre-order to date.
Yet, this success also highlights a classic Canadian trait: a tendency to undervalue homegrown talent until it gains recognition elsewhere. The explosive demand caught even Reid's publisher, Harlequin, off guard, leading to shortages in bookstores weeks before the premiere.
The phenomenon now fuels a vibrant subculture of queer dance parties, drag brunches, and trivia nights themed around the show. Furthermore, an energetic social media campaign is already underway to bring Crave's next series, Slo Pitch—about a lesbian slow-pitch beer league—to an international audience. In a sport and a country learning to embrace new narratives, Heated Rivalry has scored a game-winning goal.
