Heated Rivalry

Ilya Rozanov is the star center for the Boston Bears and one of the novel’s two protagonists. He grows up in Russia and enters the NHL as an outsider. His life is shaped by political tension, strict cultural rules, and a painful family history. Ilya contrasts with Shane, who represents approval, structure, and emotional control. Ilya represents defiance, unpredictability, and raw charisma. On the ice, he is loud and aggressive, and he builds a reputation as one of hockey’s villains. This image protects him, as by acting this way, Ilya controls how others see him and keeps his real emotions hidden. He is also physically attractive, ranking as the fifth hottest man in the NHL, with hazel eyes, golden-brown curls, and a grizzly bear tattoo on his chest.

Behind this confidence, Ilya carries deep emotional instability. His family life centers on silence and grief, especially after his mother dies by suicide. His father tells the public it is an accident, and Ilya allows the lie to stand. His father treats him harshly and later declines mentally due to Alzheimer’s disease, leaving Ilya without comfort or security. Over time, Russia stops feeling like home. It becomes a place of danger and control, especially as Ilya realizes he cannot return safely as an openly gay man. As a result, Ilya focuses on freedom, citizenship, and building a future he can control. Where Shane fears losing control, Ilya fears being trapped.

Ilya’s relationship with Shane exposes cracks in his tough exterior. Although Ilya seems confident and emotionally distant, he often shows jealousy, longing, and insecurity. At first, he agrees to keep their relationship secret, but his reasons differ from Shane’s. Shane hides to protect his public image; Ilya hides to protect himself. Over time, he becomes more willing to express his feelings, especially through language. He uses English to stay controlled and guarded. He uses Russian to speak honestly. The first time he tells Shane he loves him, he does so in Russian, revealing how vulnerable that moment is for him.

Ilya’s growth revolves around self-acceptance. He keeps his sharp humor and bold personality. What changes is his willingness to be honest without hiding behind provocation. When he chooses to leave Boston, sell some of his prized cars, and publicly support the Irina Foundation, he shows a shift from self-protection to commitment. Naming the foundation after his mother signals his decision to tell the truth about his past and move forward with integrity.

By the end of the novel, Ilya accepts that Russia is no longer home and that chosen family matters more than blood. His journey shows that strength comes from staying, committing, and allowing himself to be truly seen.

David and Yuna Hollander serve as a steady and supportive presence in Heated Rivalry. The novel portrays them as caring, involved parents who provide Shane with a strong sense of safety and support. David works for the Treasury Board of Canada and once played college hockey at McGill. He understands both Shane’s career and the pressure that comes with it. Yuna, the daughter of Japanese immigrants, is a passionate hockey fan who follows Shane’s career closely. Together, they attend nearly every game, showing constant support for their son.

Shane’s close relationship with his parents highlights the health of their family life. His cottage is 10 minutes from their home, which illustrates that Shane chooses to maintain their connection. Growing up in this stable environment shapes Shane’s personality. He tries hard to follow rules, worries about doing things correctly, and feels uncomfortable when he thinks he has disappointed others.

When David and Yuna discover Shane’s relationship with Ilya, their reaction confirms their role as supportive parents. Although they are shocked at first, they quickly move toward understanding and acceptance. Yuna, especially, focuses on finding solutions. They welcome Ilya and later help with the Irina Foundation, extending their care beyond their own son. Compared to Ilya’s painful family experiences, the Hollander family represents warmth, stability, and unconditional support.

The Rozanov family stands in stark contrast to the warmth and support of the Hollander family. While Shane’s parents attend games and celebrate his success, no one in Ilya’s family watches his games or shows pride in his achievements. Even so, they still criticize him when his team loses. This distance shows how little emotional support Ilya receives at home, despite his fame and success as a hockey player.

Grigori Rozanov, Ilya’s father, controls the family. As a police officer, he values strength, obedience, and reputation above care or understanding. His treatment of Ilya’s mother, Irina, reveals the damage this mindset causes. Irina dies by suicide, but Grigori tells others it was an accident. Ilya later explains that his mother was not weak, but deeply unhappy and worn down by his father’s cruelty. Her death becomes one of the most painful parts of Ilya’s life and shapes how he views family and love.

Other members of the Rozanov family continue this pattern. Ilya’s stepmother, Polina, and his brother, Andrei, contact him only to ask for money. These interactions make Ilya feel used rather than cared for. Even when Grigori pays attention to Ilya, it is usually to find fault with him. Ilya learns to expect criticism instead of comfort.

By the end of the novel, Ilya cuts ties with his family after his father’s death. This choice shows growth rather than cruelty. The Rozanov family represents loyalty without love, and their behavior explains why Ilya builds a chosen family instead.

Hayden Pike is a foil to Shane, highlighting the pressures Shane faces as a star player. As a left wing for the Voyageurs, Hayden is talented but not famous. He describes himself as ordinary, and Ilya bluntly calls him “extremely unremarkable,” contrasting sharply with Shane’s celebrity status. Hayden marries young, builds a family, and lives a life that follows a clear and socially accepted path. To Shane, Hayden represents a version of adulthood that feels stable, visible, and uncomplicated. Early in the novel, Shane believes this is the future he wants for himself, assuming he can someday find the “right girl.”

Hayden also shows how fame intensifies Shane’s isolation. When they spend time together in public, Shane draws attention while Hayden remains unnoticed. This difference reinforces how much harder it is for Shane to move freely or live privately. Hayden can exist in the world without constant scrutiny, while Shane is always performing.

Despite his dislike of Ilya, Hayden is deeply loyal. He supports Shane without hesitation, even when he does not fully understand Shane’s choices. When Shane comes out to his teammates, Hayden quickly connects the dots and realizes Shane is involved with Ilya. Rather than reacting with anger or betrayal, he adjusts and protects Shane’s privacy. He even acts as a lookout to help Shane and Ilya avoid being discovered. Hayden’s role in the novel highlights the importance of friendship and loyalty within hockey culture. He may dislike Ilya, but he values Shane more. Through Hayden, the novel shows that support does not require full approval, but trust and care.

Rose Landry plays a small but meaningful role in the novel as a catalyst for Shane’s self-understanding. She is an actress and meets Shane by chance, and their relationship initially appears promising. Rose is kind, perceptive, and emotionally grounded. Unlike many people in Shane’s life, she does not see him as a hockey star first and foremost. She treats him like a person, which allows Shane to imagine a version of himself that fits into a more conventional public narrative.

Rose’s importance lies less in romance and more in clarity. As they spend time together, Rose notices what Shane tries to ignore. She recognizes that his attraction to her is limited. Instead of blaming him or pushing the relationship forward, she asks direct but gentle questions. This honesty forces Shane to confront his sexuality in a way he has long avoided. When Shane admits that he is gay, Rose responds with maturity and compassion rather than anger or resentment. Their breakup is quiet and respectful, which sets Rose apart from the secrecy and emotional turmoil that define Shane’s relationship with Ilya. Rose accepts Shane’s truth and chooses to remain in his life as a friend.

Rose also highlights the difference between safety and fulfillment. Being with her offers Shane social ease and public approval, but not emotional truth. Through Rose, the novel shows that choosing honesty, even when it is uncomfortable, is necessary for real connection.