Olympic Flame Drama! Storrie & Williams Chosen After Shocking Twist?

Well, isn't this a cool story? Two stars of the Canadian hockey drama "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, are going to be torchbearers for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Talk about a win-win for everyone involved!

Olympic Flame Drama! Storrie & Williams Chosen Aft...

For those not in the know, "Heated Rivalry" has become a bit of a streaming sensation. Williams, a Kelowna, B.C. native, and Storrie, an American actor, play Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively. Their characters are these super-talented hockey players who also happen to have this intense, will-they-won't-they dynamic brewing off the ice. It’s good stuff, honestly. Good enough to warrant a second season, I reckon.

The timing of this announcement is pretty shrewd, actually. The torch relay is winding down, with only a couple of weeks left before the opening ceremony on February 6th. And get this – "Heated Rivalry" is scheduled to premiere in Italy on February 1st via HBO Max, who, incidentally, are official Olympic rights holders for the Milan Cortina Games. Coincidence? I think not! Smart marketing, if you ask me. Of course, Canadians can still catch the series on Crave, where it all started.

It's interesting to see how streaming platforms are getting so intertwined with major events like the Olympics. Back in the day, it was all about broadcast television. Now, these streaming services are throwing their weight around, and aligning themselves with these global events to boost visibility and subscriber numbers. And honestly, who can blame them?

The series is based on Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" series of gay hockey romance novels, which has obviously resonated with a *lot* of people. Credit where credit is due, Jacob Tierney, known for his work on "Letterkenny" and "Shoresy," adapted the novels into a six-episode series for Crave. He clearly knows how to tap into the zeitgeist. So, congratulations to Williams and Storrie. Carrying the Olympic torch is a huge honor, and hopefully it brings even more eyes to "Heated Rivalry." And who knows, maybe this will become a yearly thing. Actors carrying the Olympic torch is a unique way to boost awareness of all involved!

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.