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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Sports Desk • Mma

Ilya Rozanov

Ilya Rozanov is a fictional character from Rachel Reid’s *Game Changers* romance series and its television adaptation *Heated Rivalry*.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Ilya Rozanov is a fictional Russian ice hockey player from Rachel Reid's *Game Changers* romance series. He is a central figure in the novels and their television adaptation *Heated Rivalry*.

What it is

Ilya Rozanov is a fictional character created by author Rachel Reid. He appears in the *Game Changers* novel series, first in *Heated Rivalry* (2019) and later in *The Long Game*. He is a star player and captain for the fictional Ottawa Centaurs in the series' National Hockey League setting.

Why it matters

Rozanov's rivalry and long-term relationship with fellow player Shane Hollander form the emotional core of the series. The character's arc explores themes of competition, identity, and queer romance within professional sports. The television adaptation, produced in Canada and released on Crave, brings this story to a wider audience.

Key details

Ilya Grigoryevich Rozanov is Russian and plays as a professional hockey player. He is portrayed on screen by Canadian actor Connor Storrie in the *Heated Rivalry* TV series, which began airing in 2025. The character is not based on a real person and is not associated with mixed martial arts.

In short

  • Ilya Rozanov is a fictional Russian hockey player from Rachel Reid's *Game Changers* series.
  • His relationship with Shane Hollander is a major plot element in the novels and TV adaptation.
  • The character is played by Connor Storrie in the Canadian TV series *Heated Rivalry*.
  • Rozanov is not a real athlete or MMA fighter.
Canadian angle

The television adaptation *Heated Rivalry* is a Canadian production released through Crave, making the character relevant to Canadian viewers and Canadian television culture.

Quick questions

Is Ilya Rozanov a real person?
No, he is a fictional character created by author Rachel Reid.
What sport does Ilya Rozanov play?
He plays professional ice hockey in the series' fictional NHL.
Who plays Ilya Rozanov in the TV show?
Connor Storrie portrays the character in the *Heated Rivalry* television adaptation.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Rozanov
    Supports: Identifies Ilya Rozanov as a fictional character in Rachel Reid’s *Game Changers* series, describes his role as a Russian professional hockey player, and notes his adaptation to television.
  2. Heated Rivalry — https://heated-rivalry.com/the-cast/
    Supports: Lists Connor Storrie as the actor portraying Ilya Rozanov in the television series.
  3. Bi.org — https://bi.org/en/bi-characters/ilya-rozanov/
    Supports: Describes Ilya Rozanov as a main character in *Heated Rivalry* and as a Russian professional ice hockey player.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connor_Storrie
    Supports: States that Connor Storrie stars as Ilya Rozanov in the Canadian television series *Heated Rivalry*.