Gary Bettman Watched All of HBO Max’s Queer Hockey Drama at Once

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has officially weighed in on HBO Max’s hit series Heated Rivalry, and his reaction is catching attention.

In a recent interview with Hockey News, Bettman, 73, admitted that he was so hooked by the show that he watched the entire first season in one sitting. While he acknowledged that the series tackles mature themes, he praised it as a wonderful story that captures the heart of hockey.

I thought the storyline was very compelling, Bettman said. He also noted how the show reflects real moments from the league’s history. It was a lot of fun, because I could see where they were picking at things we [as a league] had done in the past, whether or not it was being in Sochi or the All-Star Game in Tampa, he explained.

He added a small caution about the show’s content for younger viewers, saying the content — particularly for young people — may be a little spicy, so you have to balance that out with how you embrace it.

Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changer books and has quickly become a cultural phenomenon since its November 2025 premiere. The show follows the secret romance between rival hockey stars Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie. Their story has struck a chord with viewers, prompting HBO Max to greenlight a second season.

The success of the show has turned its young stars into international sensations. Recently, Williams and Storrie participated in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic torch relay in Feltre, Italy, and appeared at the Golden Globes as presenters, where they were escorted by UFC fighters. Williams has also become a fixture in the fashion world, appearing at Milan Men’s Fashion Week for Dsquared2 and attending the Giorgio Armani presentation.

In an interview on the Shut Up Evan podcast, Williams spoke about adjusting to his rapid rise to fame. I was just talking with one of my agents yesterday, and she said Connor and I have had to learn what a lot of actors get in five years, in like 30 days, he shared.

With the NHL commissioner publicly endorsing the series and the cast gaining international recognition, Heated Rivalry is bridging the gap between sports fans and drama viewers. Its mix of authentic hockey moments and a personal love story has helped it become one of the standout shows of the year, moving beyond its niche origins.

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