Heated Rivalry has been the hot hockey show on everybody’s lips recently. Originally, it was book two in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series. After the series’ sensational success, it was given a show adaptation. 

This steamy gay sports romance was released on Crave, Nov. 28. of last year. Even with its low budget, it still surprisingly soared in popularity and was added to HBO Max.

Although released in November, it is still being widely discussed, as it has been renewed for a second season.

This Canadian show features opponents Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, two rival hockey players who are tangled in a secretive relationship. 

It has left its mark with its staggering impact on pop and queer culture. LGBTQIA+ people are fiending for more episodes. The wow factor is that straight people have also been absolutely loving it. 

“I think now, more than ever, there has been more queer representation in media, and I really think that this is a step forward with media,” sophomore Veronica Young said. “It is also more palatable than the movies that scream ‘yes, we are gay’ from the rooftops. Those types of series or movies give what companies do during pride, like the gay representation only when it matters and makes money.”

Junior Charlotte Reason agrees with Young’s take on representation. 

“As a straight person, it’s good to see representation for LGBT people,” Reason said. “It’s different than what you would normally see.”

Senior Richie Ring has found a deep comfort within the show. 

“It really helped me feel more comfortable with the casualness of being queer,” Ring said. “I find myself relating to Ilya much more than Shane because I’ve never really had to hide being bisexual. It’s very common to feel like you need to have a sob story to tell people how you found out you were queer—not to say you can’t, it’s just something I’ve felt within queer spaces. But Ilya’s character really reminds me that being queer is just a part of who I am.” 

Like Ring, junior Cal Hargrove has felt a great form of comfort from the show, feeling immensely touched by Heated Rivalry.

“Both the show and the books have impacted my life greatly,” Hargrove said. “I’ve loved being able to see queer relationships where people are super communicative and supportive of each other.”

While Ring and Hargrove found it comforting, junior Cedar Everline found it a bit too R-rated.

“I screamed in a lot of sections because I got scared,” Everline said. “But not because they were gay. I liked it, but I don’t like watching explicit shows.”

Sophomore Jai Samra was also not fully sold on Heated Rivalry, having a qualm with the pace of the show. 

“I like it, I just find that it can be a bit slow at times,” Samra said.

With Everline voicing her discomfort in relation to the physical intimacy, junior Ashley Galletta enjoyed the unraveling of emotional vulnerability between the characters throughout the show.

“I think it did really well as a romance story in general, with establishing chemistry between Ilya and Shane over the years, gradually building their relationship from just physical to much more emotionally intimate,” Galleta said. 

She also talked about the differences in ethnic culture between the main characters.

“I liked it because it showed a unique dynamic between two cultures, where one [Russian culture] is very homophobic,”Galetta said. “Especially how Ilya, the more outward and confident-seeming partner, is the one from that culture.” 

While Galleta spoke on ethnic culture, Samra mentioned the societal culture around being closeted.

 “I feel like it does a good job [in LGBTQ+ representation in media], especially with showing what it’s like for closeted men,” Samra said.

This leads people to the question: Ilya or Shane? What does Valley think?

“I’d probably say Ilya, but it’s close,” Hargrove said. “I love his snarky banter.” 

“Shane,” Ring said. “I love that man so much.” 

“I like Ilya,” Samra said.

“Ilya, because Shane lowkey annoyed me a lot with how he would act and his mixed signals,” Galleta said.

“Both,” Everline said.

“I like Ilya,” Young said. “I don’t know why, but I guess I just like Slavic or Nordic men.” 

Ilya and Shane have had people talking since November and Heated Rivalry’s impact has affected every demographic, no matter age or sexual orientation. One concept most people agree on— they represent LGBTQIA+ people beautifully.