By The Canadian Press

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars named Olympic torchbearers for Milan Cortina Games

Jan 22, 2026 | 8:23 AM

MILAN — The stars of the popular Canadian hockey drama “Heated Rivalry” are headed to the Olympics.

Hudson Williams who was born in Kelowna but grew up in Kamloops and American Connor Storrie will be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame for the Milan Cortina Games in February.

Williams plays Shane Hollander and Storrie plays Ilya Rozanov in the Crave-produced show.

Hollander and Rozanov are two of the best hockey players in the world and rivals on the ice who struggle to contain their feelings for each other off it.

“​​Heated Rivalry” will start airing in Italy on Feb. 1 on HBO Max, which is also one of the official Olympic rights holders for the Milan Cortina Games. Viewers in Canada can continue to watch it on Crave.

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There are 16 more days left in the torch’s journey to the Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 6.

“Heated Rivalry” has already been renewed for a second season after its runaway success on streaming platforms in Canada and the United States.

The six-episode series is based on a gay hockey romance series called “Game Changers” by Rachel Reid. The screen adaptation was written by Jacob Tierney for Crave.

Tierney is the co-writer, director, and executive producer of the sitcom “Letterkenny” and an executive producer and director on the hockey comedy “Shoresy.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press