NHL Reacts to ‘Heated Rivalry’ Getting People Into Hockey

“Heated Rivalry” is one of the must-see shows of the season, bringing hockey fans and those who weren’t as familiar with the sport together to watch two rival hockey players fall in love.

The steamy drama, based on the 2019 romance book by Rachel Reid, originally aired on the Canadian platform Crave before appearing on HBO Max in the U.S. and Australia. The show’s audience has continued to grow over the last month, turning the series into a global phenomenon.

But how does the NHL feel about “Heated Rivalry”? In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, a league rep said about the hit series, “There are so many ways to get hooked on hockey and, in the NHL’s 108-year history, this might be the most unique driver for creating new fans.”

The rep added, “See you all at the rink.”

The Season 1 finale, titled “The Cottage” arrives on HBO Max on Friday, Dec. 26 at 12 a.m. PT (or 9 p.m. PT on Dec. 25), concluding the six-episode season. But thankfully for fans, more hockey and romance are on the way.

Creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady confirmed in a statement earlier this month that the show has been renewed for a second season.

“Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary. We’re profoundly grateful to everyone that has been on this journey with us,” they wrote. “Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honor, and we can’t wait to bring you even more of what you love.”

So far, “Heated Rivalry” has closely followed the way Shane (played by Hudson Williams on the show) and Ilya’s (portrayed by Connor Storrie) love story unfolds in Reid’s book. The author also penned a 2022 sequel called “The Long Game.”

When she spoke to TODAY.com, Reid said that she is always thinking of ways to continue Shane and Ilya’s story.

“I have story ideas for them that I’ve been working on,” she shared. “They never leave my head.”

Reid added, “Some of them I’m working on, I’m trying to figure out what to do with them, but there’s going to be something. You’ll see something for sure.”

In the show, and the book, the romance between the two rival hockey players takes place over the span of eight years, from Shane and Ilya’s time going head-to-head as rookies to when they compete at the Olympics.

The first five episodes of the season are available to stream on HBO Max now.