January 14, 2026

‘HEATED RIVALRY’ HEATS UP INTEREST IN CRAVE’S GAY HOCKEY STORY SHOT AT WEST MUSKOKA COTTAGE

MUSKOKA LAKES — You gotta love Muskoka.

Fans of Crave’s “Heated Rivalry” are more in love with us and the hit hockey show as word spread this week that steamy scenes were filmed here in Barlochan.

That’s where fictional characters Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are fierce competitors on the ice but develop a secret, deep gay romantic relationship, exploring themes of love, identity, and fame in a hyper-masculine sports world.

The real Barlochan Cottages was the movie set with its wide open winter expanses and windows overlooking Lake Muskoka between Bala and Gravenhurst.

The series book and TV show features the hunky rival hockey players in lusty on and off the ice scenes including Muskoka.

Some of the show’s most memorable cottage moments were filmed at Barlochan Cottage in Muskoka Lakes with its sweeping lake views, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and peaceful surroundings, the cottage becomes more than just a backdrop it represents freedom, escape, and a chance to finally breathe, boasts the Discover Muskoka tourism promoter.

“You might not be able to book that cottage (yet), but Muskoka has nearly a thousand incredible places to stay from charming cabins to luxury lakeside escapes,” it takes liberty to promote.

Ottawa Tourism recently changed its social media bio to say “birthplace of Shane Hollander,” a nod to the capital being the fictional character’s hometown.

Monday, it posted a “Heated Rivalry 2026 Mood Board” that includes a photo of Muskoka chairs and a loon — also known, to the character Ilya at least, as a “stupid Canadian wolf bird.”

“Heated Rivalry” was written by Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid and is streamed on Crave.