Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie opens up about Ilya first saying I Love You means for the character

Connor Storrie, who portrays the role of Ilya Rozanov in Heated Rivalry, talked about his character in an interview with Variety.

The actor states how Ilya expressing 'I Love You' for the first time gives us a more in-depth understanding of the character, in relation to his intention, motive as well as his emotional journey. Here's what Storrie says:

"Yeah, but I think this shows Ilya is in it for the long haul and he’s enthusiastic about that."

This sports romance series has been an incredibly successful show that intricately portrays a love story between two hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Their journey starts off as rival players competing with one another, but it transforms into a heartfelt journey of love, intimacy and commitment.

Keep reading to know more about the importance of Ilya's first romantic declaration in Heated Rivalry.

Here's what Connor Storrie's comment means about Ilya's character in Heated Rivalry

In Heated Rivalry, Ilya becomes the first one to profess his love to Shane in the relationship. This confession of love holds a deeper meaning for the character of Ilya, as mentioned by Connor Storrie in the interview.

Going by his statement, Ilya's confession means that he is deeply committed to the future of the relationship. As Storrie mentions, "Ilya is in it for the long haul." This is certainly a clear reflection of Ilya's intent in the relationship. Not only does it showcase stability, but it also showcases the hockey player's zeal in this romantic journey.

This confession also marks a major character development of Ilya. He is a man who is burdened with several unresolved personal issues of his own. As a result, he ends up becoming someone who is constantly in need of protecting himself. But now when Ilya takes the plunge and dares to experience vulnerability openly, this showcases growth and openness in his character. He is now somebody who has dared to love, amidst all odds — be it his own family issues or the heteronormative society.

It is common knowledge that it takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to be able to profess love for one another for the first time. And we witness how Ilya dares to jump in at the deep end. Shane and Ilya have already grown a lot together, as they undergo a spectacular journey from becoming enemies to lovers.

Heated Rivalry is contingent on the Game Changers novel series by Rachel Reid. The series was released in November 2025. Upon its release, it garnered a number of smashing reviews. On IMDb, it scored an impressive 9.2/10, and a rating of a whopping 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Its synopsis, as per RT, goes as follows:

A romance set in the world of hockey; Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands.

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Also read: Will Heated Rivalry Season 2 happen?

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