NYC 'Heated Rivalry' Lookalike Contest Draws Crowds

Contestants channel characters from hit HBO hockey drama in competitive event

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Over a dozen hopeful lookalikes clad in hockey jerseys took center stage by Mercer Playground in Greenwich Village, where they acted out scenes from the steamy Canadian series 'Heated Rivalry' — stripping down and even making out — in the hopes of being crowned most carnal Canuck of the lot. The winners, 25-year-old Ryan Heffernan and 28-year-old Tyler Gaul, were awarded $50 each for most resembling the show's studly stars, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.

Why it matters

The contest highlights the growing popularity of 'Heated Rivalry,' an HBO drama that features a same-sex romance between two rival hockey players. The event attracted a large, enthusiastic crowd, suggesting increased public interest in LGBTQ+ representation and storylines in mainstream media.

The details

The lookalike contest took place on Sunday in New York City's Greenwich Village, where over a dozen contestants performed scenes from 'Heated Rivalry,' sometimes stripping down or kissing each other. The two winners, Ryan Heffernan and Tyler Gaul, were selected for most closely resembling the show's lead characters, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.

  • The contest was held on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • The HBO series 'Heated Rivalry' originally premiered in November 2025.

The players

Ryan Heffernan

A 25-year-old contestant who won the Shane Hollander lookalike contest.

Tyler Gaul

A 28-year-old contestant who won the Ilya Rozanov lookalike contest.

Hudson Williams

The actor who plays Shane Hollander, the captain of the Montreal Metros, in the HBO series 'Heated Rivalry'.

Connor Storrie

The actor who plays Ilya Rozanov, the captain of the Boston Raiders, in the HBO series 'Heated Rivalry'.

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What they’re saying

“I was very confident. I came here alone because I knew I was going to win.”

— Ryan Heffernan (The Post)

“She told me I looked exactly like Ilya, and then most people in my life and her life started to say the same exact thing.”

— Tyler Gaul (The Post)

“It's obviously very provocative, but that's great. I was just impressed that a show kind of that provocative and intense is getting as popular as it is. It's great to have the representation and just being able to see, like love and sex portrayed on TV that's not normally shown.”

— Tyler Gaul (The Post)

What’s next

The organizers of the contest have not announced any plans for future events, but the success of this inaugural 'Heated Rivalry' lookalike competition may inspire similar fan-driven activities around the popular HBO series.

The takeaway

The 'Heated Rivalry' lookalike contest in New York City demonstrates the growing mainstream appeal of LGBTQ+ storylines and representation in popular media. The enthusiastic turnout and excitement from the crowd suggests increased public interest in seeing diverse narratives portrayed on television.