If you've been curious whether Kolton Stewart is in Heated Rivalry, the answer is yes, he is! The actor officially joins the cast of the series as Carter Vaughn, a minor hockey player whose character is very impactful in creating the locker-room atmosphere of the show.His role, while small, is confirmed, credited, and adds to the realism of the sports world represented in Heated Rivalry. The fans of the series have been trying to figure out his part, especially since the main characters, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, naturally take most of the attention.However, Kolton Stewart is among the growing cast that enlivens the hockey universe of Heated Rivalry. His role, though not a central one, still contributes to the social environment of the show, particularly in friendship and team interaction scenes.Kolton Stewart's role in Heated RivalryKolton Stewart plays the role of Carter Vaughn in Heated Rivalry for only one episode in 2025. As Carter Vaughn, Stewart is a minor hockey player who mostly stays around Scott Hunter, the character played by François Arnaud.According to Out Magazine, Carter Vaughn and Scott Hunter are looked at as best friends who always hang out together, thus stressing their off-ice bond and contributing to the realistic portrayal of team friendships in Heated Rivalry.Though Carter Vaughn is not a major character and doesn’t have appearances throughout several episodes, his participation in a single episode is recognized. It clearly places him within the series’ professional hockey setting, but without putting him in the middle of the show’s main plot.How Carter Vaughn fits into Heated Rivalry’s storyIn the scenario of Heated Rivalry, Carter Vaughn performs a world-building function rather than a narrative-driving one. He is presented as a friend of Scott Hunter, being one of the series’ characters through whom the professional hockey team friendship is depicted.What Carter Vaughn represents in the seriesA professional hockey world teammateA close friend of Scott HunterA background character in scenes that provide social and athletic realismHe is presenting that the hockey world in Heated Rivalry is not just composed of the two protagonists by his interactions. Although Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are the ones who dominate the emotional and competitive lines, Carter Vaughn and characters like him are the ones who have the rest of the roster, which makes the locker-room scenes not feel empty or disconnected from real team dynamics.The series consists of a blend of recurring and non-recurring supporting roles, and Stewart's role is that of a non-recurring one. Nevertheless, even a single presence can be a great asset in the establishment of the team’s atmosphere and social setting, particularly in a show like Heated Rivalry, where interpersonal ties, regardless of the nature, romantic, platonic, or professional, are the ones that form the story’s emotional landscape.Heated Rivalry: Series overview and contextBefore analyzing the role of Kolton Stewart, it is necessary to take a look at the wider picture of Heated Rivalry. The show was released on Crave and HBO Max on 28 November 2025 and was based on Rachel Reid’s already famous romance novel.The story revolves around a fierce rivalry that has lasted for years between Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams playing the role) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie is the actor). The two of them are the main characters in the six episodes each, and their performances determine the emotional arc of the whole show.The captains of the rival hockey teams, the Montreal Metros and the Boston Raiders, are the characters they present, whose professional rivalry hides a very personal and intimate romance.Core Themes of Heated RivalryRivalry to Love correspondenceProfessional sports with high pressureSelf-Identity in the public eye: teamwork and friendshipsConcealing personal longing under the public eyeAmidst these traversed themes, the presence of characters like Carter Vaughn adds to the overall picture that surrounds the leads. Support of the cast in Heated Rivalry is immense in depicting how teammates impact the protagonists, how friendships evolve in a high-pressure situation, and how social interaction differences are being shown between the people living in everyday life and those loving in the secrecy of Shane and Ilya's relationship.Supporting cast structure: Why Carter Vaughn mattersCarter Vaughn's role is very minor, but it nevertheless accentuates the setting of Heated Rivalry, where the supporting characters render the hockey world more real.1. Ensemble authenticity: Sports dramas place a great reliance on the credibility of the team dynamics. The world would lose its richness or become totally artificial without characters like Carter Vaughn. His exchanges bring Scott Hunter’s character to life and add the feel of a crowded locker room.2. Social contrast to the main romance: The main love story is kept under wraps and is very intense. On the other hand, the friendship of Carter Vaughn and Scott Hunter shows the audience the normal lives of the players, laughing, joking, etc., thus making the leads’ private story less intense.3. Team atmosphere: Professional hockey is about much more than just the games; it is also about Bonds, secrets shared, training routines, winning, and losingCarter Vaughn is one of the elements contributing to this background, which makes the show create an immersive experience without diverting the main plot.Kolton Stewart’s background and how it aligns with his roleKolton Stewart has an impressive background that supports his current position. Kolton Stewart, a Canadian actor, has to be recognized also because he has acted predominantly on television in family-oriented dramas and in ensemble productions.These are his most important credits:Some Assembly RequiredMy Life with the Walter BoysLocke & Key My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2The actor's past roles have likewise frequently seen him positioned in ensembles or character-support situations, which thus lead to his being in Heated Rivalry. Even if Carter Vaughn isn't a big part, the casting decision is in line with Stewart's prior exposure and character traits on the screen.Is Kolton Stewart’s role important in Heated Rivalry?The significance of a character in a drama like this is contextual rather than absolute. Even though Carter Vaughn does not take part in the central romance or the final narrative, his character has a reason for being there for three significant points:The hockey world becomes more realistic through him.He facilitates the depiction of Scott Hunter’s social life.He signifies how minor characters contribute to the ensemble feeling of the show.Thus, Stewart’s role is small but significant; it comprises the internal structure that underpins the tension between the lead characters.Therefore, Kolton Stewart is confirmed to appear in one episode as Carter Vaughn, a supporting player whose role is to throw light on the team dynamics of Scott Hunter and the larger sports area.Although he does not directly involve himself in the conflict between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, Kolton Stewart’s participation still helps to make the show more realistic, populated, and consequently believable. These are the qualities that every sports romance drama aiming for authenticity cannot do without.Also read: Days ahead of premiere Heated Rivalry has become an Internet sensation - here's how the HBO romance series is turning heads