If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or “Hockey Twitter” lately, you know that Heated Rivalry has become a global television obsession. Adapted from the best-selling Game Changers novel by the legendary Rachel Reid, the show has taken the world by storm since its premiere on Crave and HBO Max.
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The series, masterfully brought to life by showrunner and director Jacob Tierney, has redefined the sports romance genre. Fans are raving about the undeniable chemistry between Hudson Williams, who stars as the disciplined, Japanese-Canadian captain of the Montreal Metros, Shane Hollander, and Connor Storrie, who brings a sharp-witted, brooding intensity to the Russian powerhouse and captain of the Boston Raiders, Ilya Rozanov.
The world-building doesn’t stop with the central duo; the series also features a stellar supporting cast, including François Arnaud as the charismatic American captain Scott Hunter and Robbie G.K. as the endearing smoothie shop barista Christopher “Kip” Grady. Together, they navigate the high-stakes pressure of professional hockey and the secret, emotional lives that happen once the skates come off. Now, we’re taking you on a tour of the actual Ontario locations where these iconic scenes of “skip” and “hollanov” romance were filmed.
They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer—but for Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, ‘close’ is an understatement. From the high-tension ice of the Prospect Cup to the quiet, glass-walled sanctuaries of Muskoka, the world of Heated Rivalry is as breathtaking as a sudden-death overtime goal. If you’ve spent your nights binge-watching the most electric rivalry in hockey, it’s time to lace up your skates. We’ve scouted the actual filming locations across Ontario where the sparks flew, the secrets were kept, and the game changed forever. Pack your bags; we’re going on a road trip through the heart of the Metros’ and Vipers’ territory.
If you’re a fan of Heated Rivalry, you know that the chemistry between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov is as cold as the ice and as hot as a post-game shower. While the show takes us from Montreal to Moscow, the production actually stayed largely in Ontario, Canada, using clever locations to double as NHL arenas and international cities.
As a fellow fan of this intense rivalry, I’ve mapped out the must-visit filming locations so you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite hockey stars.
📍 Hamilton & Guelph, Ontario
Believe it or not, most of the “on-ice” action didn’t happen in Montreal or Boston. The production turned Southern Ontario into a hockey haven.
Episode 1: “Rookies”
Episode 1, “Rookies,” is where the legend begins. To see where Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov first met—and where their legendary professional (and personal) friction started—you’ll want to head to Hamilton and Toronto.
Here are the prime locations from the series premiere that any fan would recognise:
1. The Meeting Point: McMaster University (Burridge Gym)
The very first shot of the series, where Shane introduces himself to the camera against the backdrop of the International Prospect Cup, was filmed outside McMaster University’s Burridge Gym.
- The Scene: This is the “ground zero” of their rivalry. It doubles as the arena entrance where the world’s top prospects gather.
- Fan Tip: While you’re on campus, look for the Pulse Fitness Centre. This is where the intense “gym montage” was filmed, including the locker room scenes where the tension between the two rookies is practically vibrating off the screen.
2. The Rivalry Heat-Up: SoHo Hotel Toronto
After the Major League Hockey (MLH) Draft, Shane stays at a high-end hotel where he famously goes “pedal-to-pedal” on stationary bikes against Ilya in the middle of the night.
- Location: SoHo Hotel & Residences
- The Scene: Shane’s room and the subsequent late-night gym confrontation were filmed here. It’s the first time we see them interact away from the eyes of coaches and scouts, setting the tone for their secret “off-ice” relationship.
- Address: 318 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON.
3. The Family Dinner: Ciao Bella
In a rare moment of Shane trying to act “normal,” he meets his parents, Yuna and David, for a meal to discuss his future in the league.
- Location: Ciao Bella
- The Scene: This authentic Italian spot in Hamilton’s Hamilton’s “Little Italy” (Augusta Street) provided the cozy, slightly pressurized atmosphere for Shane’s family dinner.
- Address: 31 Augusta St, Hamilton, ON.
4. The Rookie of the Year Gala: Park Hyatt Toronto
The episode ends with a glamorous post-awards party after Shane wins Rookie of the Year.
- Location: Joni Restaurant (inside the Park Hyatt)
- The Scene: The dramatic staircase and the sophisticated bar area where Shane and Ilya share a charged, lingering look across the room are part of Joni. It captures that “top of the world” feeling Shane has, juxtaposed with the isolation of his secret.
- Address: 4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON.
5. Heat on the Ice: Sleeman Centre
The Prospect Cup that started it all! Any scene filmed on the ice, whether it’s the Montreal Metros’ home games or the intense rookie battles, was shot at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. You can catch a Guelph Storm game here and imagine a young Shane and Ilya staring each other down from opposite ends of the rink.
Location: 50 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON.
Episode 1 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| Prospect Cup Entrance | Burridge Gym (McMaster) | Hamilton |
| Draft Night Hotel/Gym | SoHo Hotel | Toronto |
| Hollander Family Dinner | Ciao Bella | Hamilton |
| MLH Awards Afterparty | Joni (Park Hyatt) | Toronto |
Episode 2: “Olympians”
In Episode 2, “Olympians” the stakes move beyond the rink. We see Ilya’s life in Russia and the growing, pressurised “bubble” that he and Shane inhabit. Here is how Southern Ontario transformed into Moscow and the high-end NHL circuit:
In this episode, we see Ilya jogging past a grand yellow estate in what is meant to be Moscow. That “Russian” estate is actually the rear of Dundurn Castle, a historic neoclassic mansion in Hamilton. It perfectly captures that old-world European feel without leaving the province.
1. The Russian Family Estate: Dundurn Castle
To capture the weight of Ilya’s history and the grandeur of a wealthy Russian upbringing, the production headed to this neoclassical landmark.
- The Scene: The exterior shots of the Rozanov family home in Moscow, including the gardens where Ilya reflects on his career and his father’s expectations.
- Address: 610 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3E7, Canada
2. The “Moscow” Night Walk: The Pink Tunnel
This is one of the most visually iconic spots for fans. It provided the perfect moody, neon-drenched backdrop for a secret conversation between Shane and Ilya while “abroad.”
- The Scene: Ilya and Shane walking through a city tunnel at night, the pink glow highlighting the tension and the “other-worldliness” of their relationship when they are away from North American media.
- Address: 149 Ferguson Ave S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2M8, Canada
3. The International Arena: The Sleeman Centre
While used throughout the series, Episode 2 features heavy “game tape” footage and the first real taste of the grinding NHL travel schedule.
- The Scene: The intense professional games where Ilya begins to truly dominate on the ice, and the locker room hallways where the “enemy” stares become more frequent.
- Address: 50 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3T9, Canada
4. The Away-Game Luxury: SoHo Hotel Toronto
We return to this location to highlight the contrast between the adrenaline of the game and the isolation of the hotel room.
- The Scene: The “Vipers” team hotel scenes where Ilya is shown navigating his skyrocketing fame and his secret phone calls with Shane.
- Address: 318 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3T4, Canada
Episode 2 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| Moscow Family Home | Dundurn Castle | Hamilton |
| Neon Night Walk | The Pink Tunnel | Hamilton |
| Home Ice | Sleeman Centre | Guelph |
| The Viper’s Suite | SoHo Hotel | Toronto |
Episode 3: “Hunter” – Liuna Station
Remember the high-end hockey fundraiser where Shane brings Kip? That gorgeous, opulent lobby is Liuna Station in Hamilton. Originally a CN railway station, its grand marble floors and gold-leaf ceilings provided the perfect backdrop for the gala where the “Game Changers” world begins to collide.
In Episode 3, the rivalry intensifies as the professional lives of the characters begin to merge with their private world. This episode features one of the series’ most beloved “meet-cute” settings and a high-stakes look at the hockey social scene in Hamilton.
1. Kip’s Workplace: Relay Coffee Roasters
This trendy, high-ceilinged cafe is a central hub for the “Skip” (Scott Hunter and Kip Grady) storyline.
- The Scene: Known in the show as the “smoothie shop,” this is where Kip works. It’s the site of several charming interactions where Scott Hunter drops by to see Kip, and it serves as the backdrop for Scott’s famous “run” down the street to catch Kip before his shift ends.
- Address: 27 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1, Canada
- Fun Fact: If you visit, you can walk along King William Street to recreate the shot of Scott running toward the shop. You’ll even see the Mexican restaurant, The Mule, in the background of that scene!
2. The High-Society Fundraiser: Liuna Station
To capture the opulence of a professional hockey gala, the production utilized this historic former railway station.
- The Scene: The grand, gold-leafed lobby hosts the “Game Changers” fundraiser. This is where Shane Hollander famously brings Kip as his “date” (or rather, his distraction), leading to a high-tension evening where Scott Hunter must watch from afar while navigating his own public persona.
- Address: 360 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H5, Canada
3. The Local Hangout: The Winchester Arms
Located in the quaint town of Dundas, this British-style pub provides a warm, grounded contrast to the flashy world of pro sports.
- The Scene: This is the pub where Kip hangs out with his close friends to watch the Montreal Metros’ games on TV. It’s a place of sanctuary for Kip where he can be himself away from the media circus surrounding Scott.
- Address: 120 King St W, Dundas, ON L9H 2W5, Canada
4. Scott’s Training Grounds: David Braley Athletic Centre
The sprawling athletic facilities at McMaster University continue to play a role as the characters prepare for the mid-season push.
- The Scene: Various training and locker room sequences where Scott and his teammates discuss their upcoming games and the pressures of the “Hunter” legacy.
- Address: 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Episode 3 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| The Smoothie Shop | Relay Coffee Roasters | Hamilton |
| The MLH Gala | Liuna Station | Hamilton |
| Kip’s Local Pub | Winchester Arms | Dundas |
| Training Facility | McMaster University | Hamilton |
Episode 4: “Rose” – James Street North Tavern
The bar in Montreal where Shane meets Rose—and later, the restaurant where they have their tense breakup in Episode 5—is actually a tavern located at the corner of James Street North and Murray Street in Hamilton. It’s the perfect spot to grab a drink and contemplate the complications of a secret life.
In Episode 4, “Rose,” the tension between Shane and Ilya reaches a fever pitch, shifting from the cold professional ice to the heat of their private lives. This episode is famous for the “tuna melt” scene and the dramatic club night where their secrets nearly spill over.
Here are the locations you need to visit to relive the episode’s biggest moments:
1. The Domestic Sanctuary: Ilya’s Boston Mansion
Though the show says “Boston,” this sprawling modern mansion is actually tucked away in the Hamilton community of Dundas.
- The Scene: This home serves as the backdrop for much of the episode, including the iconic and intimate “tuna melt” scene where Shane and Ilya’s dynamic shifts toward a sweet, domestic vulnerability.
- Address: 66 Weirs Lane, Dundas, ON L9H 5E1, Canada
2. The Nightclub: Mansion (Hamilton)
To capture the electric, slow-motion “Ciel” club scene where Shane, Ilya, and their teammates Hayden and Rose cross paths, the production used this massive multi-level venue.
- The Scene: Doubling as a high-end club in Montreal (and used for the Russian club montages at the start of the episode), this is where the “Rose” conflict comes to a head under neon lights.
- Address: 54 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1A6, Canada
3. The Montreal Meet-Up: Le Tambour Tavern
This atmospheric spot plays “double duty” in the series, standing in for the cozy Montreal bars where the players try to hide in plain sight.
- The Scene: The bar where Shane first meets Rose. It’s a location that perfectly captures the “Montreal” vibe while actually being in the heart of Hamilton’s James Street North.
- Address: 345 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H3, Canada
4. The Morning-After Run: Dundurn Castle (Trail)
While the castle itself stood in for Russia in Episode 2, the wooded trails behind the estate were used for a different purpose in Episode 4.
- The Scene: Shane and his teammate Hayden are seen jogging through what is meant to be a scenic Montreal park. It’s a moment of athletic normalcy before the emotional weight of the episode sets in.
- Address: 610 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3E7, Canada
Episode 4 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| Ilya’s Mansion | 66 Weirs Lane | Dundas |
| Ciel Nightclub | Mansion | Hamilton |
| Rose’s Meeting Spot | Le Tambour Tavern | Hamilton |
| Montreal Jogging Trail | Dundurn Castle Grounds | Hamilton |
Episode 5: “I’ll Believe in Anything”
For the All-Star game weekend in “Tampa,” the show headed to one of Toronto’s most famous rooftops. The poolside scenes and the hotel bar where the players congregate were filmed at Lavelle. With its stunning views of the CN Tower (cleverly hidden or edited), it’s easy to see why it doubled for a luxury Florida hotel.
In Episode 5, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” the rivalry hits the big stage of All-Star Weekend. While the show transports us to the humid, palm-tree-lined streets of Tampa, Florida, the production stayed in Toronto to capture the high-end lifestyle of the league’s elite.
1. The All-Star Hotel: SoHo Hotel Toronto
We return to the SoHo Hotel Toronto for some of the episode’s most critical dramatic beats.
- This location serves as the upscale “Tampa” hotel where the All-Stars are sequestered, providing the sleek, professional backdrop for the team meetings and late-night hallway encounters.
- Reviewers often highlight the boutique feel and the floor-to-ceiling windows, which the show used to emphasize the “fishbowl” nature of Shane and Ilya’s public lives.
- Features spacious, marble-clad bathrooms that fans will recognize from the more intimate, “behind-closed-doors” scenes of the episode.
2. The Infamous Pool Party: Lavelle
For the sunny, outdoor energy of a Florida All-Star party, the show headed to Lavelle, one of Toronto’s most iconic rooftop venues.
- This is where the “All-Star Pool Party” was filmed. It’s the site of the legendary scene where the players lounge by the water, and the tension between the characters is as palpable as the summer heat.
- Offers three 19th-floor pools with a cabana-style atmosphere that perfectly doubled for a luxury resort in Tampa.
- Visitors love the 360-degree views of the city skyline, though in the show, these were carefully framed to keep the “Florida” illusion alive.
3. The Breakup Dinner: The Diplomat
As the All-Star glamour fades, the emotional weight of the “Rose” conflict leads to a tense, heart-wrenching dinner scene.
- The Diplomat in Hamilton provided the sophisticated yet moody setting for Shane and Rose’s final conversation as a couple.
- Known for its mid-century modern aesthetic and globally inspired plates, which lent a sense of “adult” finality to the scene.
- The dim lighting and velvet booth seating helped create the intimate, pressurised environment needed for such a pivotal character moment.
4. The Media Scrum: Beanfield Centre
The high-pressure world of sports media and the “Skills Competition” interviews were captured at this massive exhibition space.
- Beanfield Centre at Exhibition Place stood in for the All-Star media hub.
- Its soaring ceilings and industrial-chic architecture provided the scale of a major NHL event.
- Fans can visit the public areas of the grounds to see the grand halls where Shane and Ilya had to play the role of “perfect professionals” for the cameras.
Episode 5 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| All-Star Hotel | SoHo Hotel Toronto | Toronto |
| Rooftop Pool Party | Lavelle | Toronto |
| The “Breakup” Spot | The Diplomat | Hamilton |
| Media Day Hub | Beanfield Centre | Toronto |
The season finale takes us away from the bright lights and into the quiet (but no less intense) woods of Canada.
Episode 6: “The Cottage” – Barlochan Cottage
The “cottage” where the season reaches its emotional climax is a stunning piece of modern architecture in Muskoka Lakes. Known as the Barlochan Cottage (designed by Trevor McIvor Architect Inc.), it’s famous for its floor-to-ceiling glass walls. While it is a private residence, the Muskoka region is the “Cottage Country” Shane talks about—filled with rocky shorelines and deep blue lakes that feel exactly like the show.
The season finale, Episode 6: “The Cottage,” brings the high-octane rivalry to a breathtaking, emotional conclusion. To film the transition from the roaring crowds of the playoffs to the quiet, snowy isolation of the off-season, the production moved into the heart of Ontario’s wilderness.
Here is where the final chapter of Shane and Ilya’s season unfolded:
1. The Playoff Battleground: FirstOntario Centre
Before the peace of the cottage, we have the chaos of the final games. While the Sleeman Centre was used for smaller games, the “big league” playoff energy was filmed here.
- The Scene: The high-stakes playoff series where the physical toll of the rivalry is on full display. The tunnel walks and the locker room scenes here are particularly charged as the season nears its end.
- Address: 101 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3L4, Canada
2. The Iconic “Glass” Sanctuary: Barlochan Cottage
This is the holy grail for Heated Rivalry fans. It is the setting for the final act of the episode, where Shane and Ilya finally have the space to be themselves.
- The Scene: The stunning, modern cottage with floor-to-ceiling glass walls where the characters retreat to escape the media. It’s the site of the emotional “ice-breaking” conversations and that final, peaceful morning overlooking the lake.
- Address: Barlochan Road, Gravenhurst (Muskoka Lakes), ON.
- Note: This is a private residence designed by Trevor McIvor Architect Inc., so please respect the owners’ privacy and view it from the water if you’re boating on Lake Muskoka!
3. The Small-Town Escape: Downtown Gravenhurst
When the characters aren’t hunkered down in the cottage, the scenic shots of the snowy “northern town” were filmed in this charming Muskoka gateway.
- The Scene: The exterior shots of the town where the characters pick up supplies—trying (and failing) to stay low-profile in their winter gear. It perfectly captures the “Northern Ontario” winter aesthetic.
- Address: Gravenhurst, ON P1P, Canada
4. The Final “Check-In”: The Royal Connaught
For the scenes involving the team’s end-of-season meetings and the final “professional” goodbyes before the summer break.
- The Scene: The grand, historic lobby and suites of the Royal Connaught were used to represent the team’s home-base headquarters during the final playoff push. It adds a sense of tradition and weight to the end of the season.
- Address: 118 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1A8, Canada
Episode 6 Travel Summary
| Show Location | Real-Life Venue | City |
| Playoff Arena | FirstOntario Centre | Hamilton |
| The Glass Cottage | Barlochan Cottage | Muskoka Lakes |
| The Supply Run | Gravenhurst Downtown | Gravenhurst |
| Team Headquarters | Royal Connaught | Hamilton |
Wrapping Up Your Heated Rivalry Tour
You’ve now tracked Shane and Ilya from their first meeting at McMaster University all the way to the quiet shores of Muskoka.
Pro-Tip for Fans
If you find yourself in Halifax, Nova Scotia, make sure to visit Stardust. It’s the queer bar where author Rachel Reid recently celebrated the season finale with fans. It’s the spiritual home of the series!
Trevor McIvor Barlochan Cottage