NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says he binged Crave’s Heated Rivalry
Gary Bettman told reporters he watched all six episodes of Crave’s Heated Rivalry in one night, calling the story compelling while warning parents about mature content.
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By Torontoer Staff
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters on Thursday that he watched the entire first season of Crave’s Heated Rivalry in one sitting. The six-episode Canadian series, which centres on a hidden romance between two fictional pro players, has become a major talking point among hockey fans.
Bettman described the series as a well-done and compelling story, noting moments that echoed real hockey events. He also cautioned that the show contains material some parents may find too explicit for younger viewers.
Bettman watched the whole season
Speaking to reporters, Bettman said, “I’ve watched all six episodes. I binged it in one night. I thought the storyline was very compelling, and a lot of fun because I could see where they were picking at things that we have done in the past.” He cited sequences that reminded him of events such as international tournaments and All-Star festivities.
I’ve watched all six episodes. I binged it in one night, I thought the storyline was very compelling, and a lot of fun because I could see where they were picking at things that we have done in the past.
Gary Bettman
Bettman’s comments arrived as the series gained traction on social media and among hockey communities. The commissioner’s public endorsement is notable because NHL leaders typically avoid weighing in on fictional portrayals of the sport.
What the show is about
Heated Rivalry adapts Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels. The plot follows two star players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who maintain a public rivalry while harbouring a private relationship. The show blends on-ice drama with off-ice life, and its creators have deliberately drawn on familiar hockey narratives.
- Platform: Crave
- Season one: six episodes
- Core theme: rivalry, secret romance, and the pressures of professional sport
Reid has said she drew inspiration from several high-profile players and rivalries. In interviews, she has cited the real-life rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin as a starting point, and named veterans such as Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne and Ilya Kovalchuk as influences for Rozanov’s character.
- Inspiration for Rozanov: Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne, Ilya Kovalchuk
- Inspiration for Hollander: Wayne Gretzky, Paul Kariya
- Narrative source: Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels
Reception and content considerations
Heated Rivalry has been a conversation starter for fans who recognise nods to real hockey culture and personalities. The series has attracted attention for depicting a same-sex relationship between two elite athletes, an element that has prompted discussion about representation in sport.
At the same time, Bettman warned that the show includes scenes that could be inappropriate for younger viewers. “The content, particularly for young people, may be a little spicy,” he said, adding that viewers and parents will need to decide how to approach the material.
The content, particularly for young people, may be a little spicy. You have to balance that out in terms of how you embrace it.
Gary Bettman
Crave classifies the series for mature audiences and streaming guides list the episodes with viewer advisories. Platforms and broadcasters increasingly include such notices to help parents make informed choices, especially when storylines mix sports with adult themes.
Why hockey fans are watching
Fans have responded both to the show's insider nods and to its larger questions about identity in a high-profile sport. The depiction of two star players navigating fame, rivalry and a concealed relationship has prompted conversations across message boards and social channels.
Producers and writers have leaned into authenticity, consulting hockey insiders and using plotlines that echo real events. That approach appears to have helped the series land with audiences who expect credible depictions of the sport's dynamics.
Where to watch and what to expect
Season one of Heated Rivalry is available on Crave. Expect six episodes that mix locker-room drama with off-ice storylines and explicit scenes that place the show in mature programming categories.
Viewers interested in the series should consult streaming advisories if they plan to watch with younger family members. For adult audiences, the show offers a compact season with a blend of sports authenticity and dramatic fiction.
Bettman’s endorsement may amplify interest among broader hockey audiences, but the series will remain a conversation about representation, realism and how sports culture is portrayed on screen.
TVCraveHockeyGary BettmanHeated RivalryRachel Reid
