Work Text:
Variety: Adrian Dela Cruz Breaks the Ice
By Andrew Graham
Adrian Dela Cruz is not at all what I expected. He sits across from me in a small, cozy coffee shop (his suggestion) in the heart of Vancouver wearing a tweed scarf.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says with a shame that would be better attributed to a thirty minute delay, rather than three minutes.
He’s quieter than his larger than life character Crimson Blade. Even his laugh is a soft, timid thing.
It’s not the first time Dela Cruz has managed to surprise me this year. Like most of the film world, I was caught off guard by the announcement that he was starring in and producing the devastating queer hockey drama, "Leave it on the Ice".
“This one’s personal to me,” Dela Cruz tells me, taking a slow sip of his oat milk latte.
In a way, it makes sense. Dela Cruz himself is openly gay and married his partner, Justin Green, two years ago in a sweeping garden ceremony that graced the pages of Vogue.
But "Leave it on the Ice" is much quieter than his typical blockbuster action faire. The first two minutes say it all: Dela Cruz’s character sits quietly on a bench in full hockey gear, staring out at an empty seat in the crowd, a single tear streaming from his eyes. He wipes it away, steels himself, and hits the ice.
The movie then flashes back five years to show us his epic, secret, gay love affair. It’s sweet and tender but has an undercurrent of dread thanks to the viewer's knowledge that it can only end in heartbreak.
“I actually dated a professional hockey player myself,” Dela Cruz confesses to me. “He was closeted—we both were then. And he was, well, in a word, tortured.”
Tortured? I'm not able to hide my skepticism. The NHL has, arguably, come a lot further than most men’s professional sports leagues when it comes to out gay players in recent years.
From Scott Hunter’s history making kiss after his first Stanley Cup win, to infamous rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov burying the hatchet to become husbands/teammates, to a recent sighting of Luca Haas on a glamorous museum date with model Archibald Simmons.
Add in the Centaurs' Troy Barrett and that makes four active NHL players who are openly queer (Haas has yet to confirm his sexuality). That's not even mentioning the four retired players who are out as well, including singer-songwriter Fabian Salah's rugged lumberjack of a boyfriend Ryan Price.
Many have started to ask the question: is the NHL just, to put it bluntly, really gay now? Dela Cruz releases one of those light, breathy laughs when I say as much.
“It wasn’t quite like that yet when we were together,” Dela Cruz explains. “He was scared. Miserable with how scared he was. He hid under ten layers of fake smiles and forced masculinity, but I saw right through it. I think it might have been our undoing in the end. As I stepped away from the closet, he dug himself deeper into it.”
And now? “Oh.” Dela Cruz rubs a thumb absently over the handle of his mug. “He’s out now, actually. He seems happy. But I wonder sometimes if it’s still a front. I know him well enough to see the misery peeking out behind his eyes when I catch the odd post game interview. I mean, can anyone truly be gay and happy in that world? Is it even possible to be yourself in a culture that demands you be anything but? That’s why the script for 'Leave it on the Ice' grabbed me. It chases those questions to their logical conclusion.”
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dove ‹𝟹 @rozsbeartattoo
UHHHH HELLO??????? Is anyone else awake and frantically googling “Adrian Dela Cruz + Ilya Rozanov + sighting” rn?! Please? HELLO?
sadie (she/her) @delacruisin
Adrian dating an nhl player is my multiverse of madness holy SHIT (also it’s Shane Hollander right? pls let it be Shane Hollander)
for the gays @rozanovslapdog
Superhero asshole: Every gay hockey player is secretly miserable!
Ilya Rozanov’s little dimples: whatever you say sweetie
Chiron's Third Dad @centaurtrashh
brb writing a 200k slowburn outsider pov of Adrian Dela Cruz falling for Ilya and realizing over the course of a decade that he can never love him back because he’s so hung up on Shane :’)
Ally @crimsin_blad3
Nurse? The RPF girlies are out of their hospital beds again
Chiron's Third Dad @centaurtrashh
at least my account's not dedicated to a pretentious dickbag
Ally @crimsin_blad3
Nope just a losing team!!
nadia 🌈 @hazyhayess
okay but I’m obsessed with this Esteemed Journalist being like “pause. in case you didn’t know, hockey is SUPER gay now”
Rose Landry Updates 🌹 @roselandia
BREAKING: Adrian Dela Cruz, who starred alongside Rose in Three Eternities, has gone public about previously dating an NHL star. Leading theories are Rose's ex-boyfriend Shane Hollander and her close friend Ilya Rozanov 😱🌹
rose landry step on me @roses_laundry
I bet she was a beard when she "dated" Shane. She's such a good friend!
Jo @overacliffmarlow
Honestly I kinda have to respect the way the Rose Landry side of the internet talks about Roz and Holly like they're her little Ken dolls
Ollie @olliew22
Scott Hunter pulling both a movie star and a hot smoothie shop employee...sir I was not familiar with your range
kip grady love bot @scottcunterr
okay here for the kip love always (obvi) but I feel like it can't be Scott? The way he talked about it made it sound like he dated the dude pre cup kiss. My money's on Rozanov
hollanov's secret love child @holand3rrozanvv
I feel like it's gotta be Holly, actually. Rose was probably his beard so he could date Adrian, and then he left him for Roz during all star weekend 2017, which is the leading timeline theory for when they got together!!
Ollie @olliew22
I just think these dudes are hot, idk what you're talking about, but sure!
kj ²⁴ @kyliebluejeans
not now sweetie, mommy’s updating her chart of which professional hockey players & assorted celebrities potentially sucked each other’s dicks!
5 missed calls
Harris: Hey buddy, call me when you’re up, okay?
Harris: I know you’re going to be tempted to throw your phone out the window, but please don’t!
Harris: We need to make a game plan. The internet gays will figure this out in give or take 16 hours
Harris: Luckily you have me in your corner! I’ve got you. Just call me, okay?
Chiron Fan Club
Bood: sooo are we like not talking about it in an attempt to pretend to be above gossip orrr is everyone asleep?
Wyatt: ??
Dykstra: why do you sound like a troll under a bridge speaking in riddles
Ilya: I am awake. What?
Dykstra: we all know ur awake, ur so fucking loud
Wyatt: oh god please don’t tell me more information than that. My white noise machine is doing the lord’s work
Dykstra: not like that, not this time. He’s just shouting in Russian
Dykstra: shit wait maybe it is like that
Luca: He’s with me, Shane is asleep. We're watching the SF/Seattle game
Wyatt: oh don’t get me started. What a shitshow right?
Bood: Variety: Adrian Dela Cruz Breaks the Ice
Bood: 👀
Wyatt: HOLY SHI T
Wyatt: please tell me this is one of you!!!!
Wyatt: please please please tell me one of you boned THE crimson blade!! AHHHH
Dykstra: well it’s not Luca unless Dela Cruz is into 12 year olds
Bood: no one said Luca, it’s obviously Roz
Ilya: What? Why obviously? Explain.
Bood: statistically, it’s most likely you. You’ve fucked the most people
Bood: and the whole bit about hiding behind smiles and masculinity
Ilya: Rude
Bood: you’re not denying it!!
Dykstra: I think he’s just trying to stir the pot and it’s actually Shane. Didn’t he date Rose Landry?
Wyatt: omg yes!! and they worked together in Three Eternities
Wyatt: Holy shit this is so insane. I mean I’ve always kind of hated how much they deviated from the comic in that show but STILL
Luca: I think it’s Scott Hunter
Ilya: Probably. He would date asshole like this
Wyatt: aww I like Kip
Wyatt: wait asshole?
Ilya: Yes. Did you not read the article? I hate this guy
Bood: …okay now I think he dated Shane
Claire @clairebear81
Goood morning gays & theys, I have not slept and I’m not sure I will again til I know which one of my boys Adrian Dela Cruz was boning (or was boning him? he’s probably a bottom right?)
madi (she/they) @dallaskenthateclub
Okay but does it matter though? I feel like we’re getting caught up in the mystery and losing track of the real convo here abt closeted athletes…
hattie 💕 @voyageurne
NHL fans losing the plot + fork found in kitchen, other breaking news at 11
Claire @clairebear81
a voyageurs fan telling me not to have a fun gay lil time? yeah, that tracks
gabe is on hiatus @acryingshane
Why Adrian Dela Cruz’s ex boyfriend is Ilya Rozanov (a thread)
kai @hausofhaas
Real talk: I reread the article this morning and it’s leaving a weird taste in my mouth. How do you see 2 husbands kissing during cellies and go “they must be secretly so sad”
Raquel ⋆.𐙚 ̊ @rockyzzz3
idk though I mean I think it’s kinda fair? like sure there are more out gay NHL players now but the league is still a homophobic shitshow
kai @hausofhaas
criticizing the league being homophobic: fair!!
saying your ex must be secretly miserable: honestly deranged behavior
anya unofficial @hollanoveru
^^ this though. Something so embarrassing about being like “my ex isn’t actually happy, he’s lying”. Like just say u haven’t moved on babe!!
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
in the GC fighting for my life like Here’s How Troy Barrett Could Still Be Adrian Dela Cruz’s ex
Source: just trust me bro
mel @melissaplays34
Babe. In what world lmao
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
THEY’D BE HOT TOGETHER I CAN PICTURE IT!! also I feel like if it wasn't him harris would have made a silly goofy joke abt it by now? walk with me here...
mel @melissaplays34
I guess? I just always kinda got the vibe that Harris was his Gay Awakening tbh (would not blame him)
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
Fair, the first time I saw Troy & Harris together I was like “oh perhaps I’m not a lesbian actually” (I am but it was a MOMENT, okay?)
mel @melissaplays34
lmfao and then rose landry got cast as shauna and you were re-awakened, i see i see
shut uppp @anonan0nurM0m
can we go back to talking about hockey now? when did this game become a fucking gay soap opera?
Sylvie @scotthunt3rscores
if u told me 5 years ago that people would be whining about hockey being too gay, I’d have laughed in your face lmao god bless you Scott Hunter, ex of Adrian Dela Cruz
soph @freckleshanes
That article is bumming me out, like I don’t wanna think about my baby boys secretly being miserable :(
Liam @crimsonblad3runner
making my poor hockey loving bf speculate with me on who THE crimson blade dated (he says it's probably Ilya Rozonov and he's hot so I'm here for it)
Chiron's Third Dad @centaurtrashh
sorry still thinking about Adrian Dela Cruz being like “athletes sad cavemen, artists smart and gay and happy” SHUT UPPP
bebe @moony4hollanov
Why is this even a debate? It's Ilya Rozanov. Of course it's Ilya Rozanov. It HAS TO BE ILYA ROZANOV
Jake @croissantsncups
It literally can't be. He said gay, not bisexual.
bebe @moony4hollanov
Gay could be an umbrella term in this context though? All I'm saying is that line about hiding behind smiles and masculinity kinda PERFECTLY encapsulates the closeted days of Roz's career
Barry W. @barrywilliams1234
Maybe the centaurs would have a fucking cup already if those queers started thinking about scoring ON the ice for once
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
I hope both sides of your pillow are hot forever and every day, you wake up tired and hoping for more sleep only to realize your alarm is 5 minutes from going off
Troy: shit
Harris: Good morning buddy! It’s gonna be okay, I pinky promise. Gimme a sec and I’ll call
Troy: Can we text? Just til I wake up more?
Harris: absolutely
Harris: I’ve thought of like six different game plans we can talk through
Troy: Have you slept at all?
Harris: hahahahahas
Harris: you’re cute!!
Troy: What the fuck is his problem? Why would he do this?
Harris: He knows it’ll create a stir and promote his pathetic little trauma porn movie
Troy: It’s porn?
Harris: Trauma porn. Ignore that. Are you okay?
Troy: I don’t know. None of the guys seem to think it’s me, at least. What are people online saying?
Harris: right now it’s looking like 40% Roz, 20% Hunter, 20% Shane, 10% you, 5% Ryan Price, 5% other assorted gays
Troy: Assorted gays?
Harris: Ya know, Bennett, Lundin, Baldwin
Harris: The problem is, he heavily implied it's an active player with that "post game interview" mention. So that basically narrows it down to 4 people since Luca's younger/only half out
Troy: Only half out? Didn't he kiss Archie in public?
Harris: Straight people are dumb
Harris: So right now it’s mostly just whoever’s most famous. But (and I don’t wanna stress you out) if any pictures or scraps of evidence of you and Adrian emerges, your number’s going to skyrocket. So we may want to play defense here
Troy: I’m not sure there are any scraps. We really only saw each other in our homes and occasionally hotels
Harris: Hotel staff might talk. Like, remember lubegate?
Troy: What?
Harris: after Shane and Roz were outed, an employee at the Ritz posted pics of Roz’s cum and lube stained hotel sheets from a few years back
Troy: Ew. I’m so glad I’m offline
Harris: Me too pal. STAY THAT WAY! Do not look online this week, do not search your name, you get no kisses when you’re home if I find out you looked
Troy: As if you could deprive me of kisses. You’d fold so fast
Harris: Do you really want to test that though?!
Troy: I won’t look. I’m considering throwing my phone in the bathtub anyways
Harris: Please don’t. God I hate that this happened when you’re on the road. Should I fly out? Would that be totally weird?
Troy: I’ll be okay. I mean, a hug would be nice. But it’s just four days
Harris: Four days. Okay. We can make it four days.
Harris: In the meantime: 🤗🤗🤗
Troy: Bye?
Harris: No, I’m not waving, it’s a hug!!
Troy: Ohh
Troy: Then 🤗
Harris: You’re too cute
Harris: and yes I know you’re blushing right now
Troy: 🤗
Troy: Okay, I think I’m ready for a call now. I’d love to hear your plans. I’m glad I fell for someone so organized.
Harris: ugh keep talking dirty to meee
Ilya: You were not at breakfast.
Troy: I was talking to Harris. I’ll grab a bagel
Ilya: Making plans, yes? Because the article is about you.
Troy: No.
Ilya: You are bad liar, even through text
Troy: Ugh fine. Yes, it’s about me
Troy: How did you know?
Ilya: I did not, you just told me
Troy: Shit
Ilya: Like I said, you are terrible liar
Ilya: What is your plan? Me and Shane will back you up. If you need me to hint it was me, I can
Troy: I’m not sure you need to. Everyone already thinks it’s you. 40% of people at least, according to Harris
Ilya: Yes, because I am so handsome. People like imagining me with sexy men
Troy: Sure. Whatever you say, man
Ilya: Are you okay? Your ex is awful
Troy: I’m fine.
Ilya: Always a bad liar. When Shane is out of the shower we will come up.
Troy: I’m okay really
Ilya: Uh huh
Ilya: At least you…what is the word? When you switch to someone better?
Troy: Upgraded?
Ilya: Yes. You upgraded.
Troy: Yup. Massively
Ilya: Okay, relax Barrett. I am happy for you but I do not need to hear about Harris’s dick
Troy: I’m deadbolting the door
Scott: Hi guys. I’m trying to figure out how to navigate the fallout of this article and the conversation it’s starting around gay hockey players and I figured I should consult you all.
Bennett: Makes sense.
Baldwin: Does this mean you fucked the pretentious famous dude?
Scott: No. If I did I wouldn’t be consulting you.
Ilya: We all say nothing and let the internet be very annoying. Good talk.
Ilya has left the group chat
Shane has added Ilya to the group chat
Shane has added Luca to the group chat
Ilya: Ugh
Luca: Hello
Scott: Oh sorry kid, I forgot you came out
Luca: It’s okay
Ilya: Hard to keep track since everyone in hockey is gay now. Variety told me so
Lundin: I don’t have everyone’s number saved. I assume the one being an asshole is Rozanov?
Ilya: No. I am Shane Hollander. You are taking time away from my very important crossword puzzle.
Shane: That is Rozanov, yes. I’m Shane.
Bennett: This is Eric Bennett, hey
Luca: Luca Haas 👋
Lundin: Shit when did Haas come out?
Ilya: He didn’t he is just dating hot male model
Baldwin changed the group chat name to The Secret Society of Stick Handlers
Lundin: nice
Scott: I’ve been getting asked if it’s me. I considered denying but if we all deny and one person doesn’t, that sort of gives their identity away and I’m not sure they want that.
Bennett: I mean they could lie if they really wanted to?
Scott: That could backfire if the truth ends up coming out somehow though
Baldwin: I don’t have to deny shit, everyone forgot I exist, so ha
Ilya: Everyone thinks is me. My agent asked if I want to comment too
Scott: Wait, it's not you?
Ilya: Maybe 🤔 Or maybe not 🤪
Bennett: What?
Ryan: Hi guys, what’s this about?
Lundin: Oh to be as blissfully offline as Ryan Price
Scott: Variety: Adrian Dela Cruz Breaks the Ice
Ryan: Oh wow
Scott: Kip says a few people think it’s you despite him implying it's an active player, since you’re dating another “pretty celebrity”
Ilya: Aww Kip has a crush on Fabian. How sweet.
Bennett: I’m pretty sure everyone has a crush on Fabian
Ilya: This is true. Shane does too.
Shane: No I don’t! Ignore him, Ryan.
Ilya: He does. He gets all flustered around him
Ryan: Me too :)
Scott: Okay so are we denying or not?
Troy: It’s me. I’m going to put out a statement on Instagram tomorrow, I just need to tell my team first. And my mom.
Baldwin: shit wait whose number is that?
Troy: Troy Barrett
Lundin: ohh daaamn!!
Baldwin: of course it’s the pretty boy
Ilya: What? I am shocked by this. I had no idea! Why would you not tell me Troy?
Shane: 🙄
Scott: Okay. Wow. You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to, you know
Troy: I know. I want to. I will warn you though, I might go with what my boyfriend is calling “the messy route”
Ilya: Yes Barrett!!
Shane: I’m scared to ask what that means
Bennett: Messy how?
Troy: The conversation will shift to just me when I post probably. I’m sorry about the drama I caused.
Baldwin: it’s good man, people kinda sorta remember I exist now!
Bennett: Kyle says the “mess is fun” and he is “all for you getting messier”
Troy: Thanks I think
Shane: Troy! Messy how?
Scott: I was thinking we could all start a social media trend. I want to show people that being a gay hockey player isn’t all misery like the article implied. And maybe we can get some heat off Barrett
Troy: That would be nice, thank you. My boyfriend works in social media and he says that’s a good idea
Baldwin: lmfao dude we all know your boyfriend works in social media, there’s articles about it and shit
Bennett: You guys are sweet
Troy: Oh. Thanks
Ilya: Social media trend? I am not sure you can do this, Scott. You are not a trend setter
Scott: You literally all came out because of me.
Ilya: No, I came out because of Hayden Pike
Shane: Too soon
Lundin: Are you guys just like texting right next to each other?
Ilya: Why? Having fun daydreaming about us? 😚
Bennett: What are you thinking, Scott?
Scott: I’m thinking we all post pictures of us smiling, maybe with our partners, and caption it something like “so clearly gay and miserable”. You know, like sarcastically
Ilya: I did not know you knew sarcasm. I am impressed.
Scott: Yeah, yeah
Troy: Harris (my boyfriend) says we should make it a hashtag. Maybe #GayAndMiserable ?
Troy: But no question mark
Scott: Sounds good, thanks Troy. So do we have a game plan? Troy’s announcement, then we all use the hashtag?
Ilya: Sure. Shane loves social media and being obviously gay, this will be fun for him
Shane: Shut up. It’ll be worth it for Barrett
Baldwin: are you guys actually literally married? I kinda believe that three hour YouTube video that said it’s a PR stunt
Ilya: If Shane was doing a PR marriage he would choose Rose Landry
Shane has removed Ilya from the group chat
Troy: I think I should text him
Harris: Who?
Troy: Adrian.
Harris: Oh
Troy: I like your plan. But I feel like I should give him a chance first?
Troy: A chance to explain himself I mean
Harris: Okay. I kind of feel like he lost all chance for explanation when he cheated on you though bud
Troy: I know. I guess I just know what it's like to say something shitty and regret it later.
Troy: Is this a terrible idea?
Harris: Yes. But it's sweet too.
Troy: Okay. Fuck it.
Harris: Block him when he's an asshole, will you?
Troy: When? Not if?
Harris: Haha I totally meant if
Troy: No you didn't.
Harris: No I didn't
Troy: Hi. I would appreciate if you didn't mention me in interviews in the future. Maybe you didn't mean for it to cause drama, but it has, and I'd rather be left out of your career. Thanks.
Troy: This is Troy by the way. Not sure you still have my number.
Adrian: Troy, of course I still have your number. It's nice to hear from you!
Adrian: I totally didn't mean to cause drama. That wasn't my intention. I'm just trying to call attention to homophobia in the NHL
Troy: Then support the initiatives Scott Hunter is spearheading. Donate to an organization that helps queer youth pursuing sports. Keep my name out of it.
Adrian: I didn't mention your name
Troy: There's only a small handful of out NHL players, and even less who are active. You may as well have.
Adrian: Wow, Troy. I know you're ashamed of your sexuality but this is a new low.
Troy: I'm not ashamed of my sexuality. I just don't want my ex publicly speculating on if I'm miserable or not. I feel like that's reasonable.
Adrian: I wasn't speculating. I know you Troy. There's no point lying to me
Troy: And what exactly am I lying about?
Adrian: You know.
Troy: I know what?
Troy: What are you talking about?
Adrian: You're being pretty defensive, that's all I'm saying.
Troy: Of course I'm being defensive. You talked shit about me in Variety.
Adrian: I wasn't talking shit! I was shining light on an important issue. If I don't, who will?
Troy: You should really read Scott Hunter's Wikipedia page.
Adrian: oh my god, I get it, you want to fuck Scott Hunter
Troy: ???
Adrian: This is coming out all wrong. We should chat in person. When you play in Vancouver next month, give me a call.
Adrian: Justin will be out of town.
Troy: Excuse me? Are you propositioning me?
Adrian: lol no, this isn't an episode of Scandal
Adrian: just asking if you want to chat and maybe fuck. It's not a big deal.
Troy: Of course it's a big deal. It's a huge deal. Does commitment really mean so little to you?
Troy: Who am I kidding, of course it does
Troy: How do I block somebody's number?
Harris: Oh buddy
Harris: Calling now
Chiron Fan Club
Dykstra: Has anyone checked on Wyatt in the past hour? I’m worried he’s still rocking back and forth
Troy: Sorry.
Dykstra: It’s okay, not sure any of us knew that you sucking an actor’s dick would get him like this
Bood: We probably should have known now that I think about it
Wyatt: CRIMSON BLADE
Wyatt: NOT SOME ACTOR. THEEE CRIMSON FUCKING BLAAADE
Wyatt: The ONLY super hero immune to the onyx mind wipe!!
Bood: The what?
Ilya: We get laid, Hazy. We do not know what this means
Wyatt: Yes, Roz, we’re all aware you get laid. It’s why I own a white noise machine
Wyatt: Wait wait wait wait wait
Ilya: What are we waiting for?
Wyatt: Does this mean THE Crimson Blade has SEEN ME PLAY?
Troy: Probably not. He only caught one or two of my games
Ilya: I hate this man
Bood: Wait what? Didn’t you say you were together for two years?
Bood: Or did I mishear? I couldn’t hear much over Wyatt’s screeching
Troy: Yeah, almost two years.
Shane: And he only went to two of your games? Is that because you were closeted?
Troy: Oh no, he didn’t go to any of my games. I meant he only watched two on TV.
Luca: :O
Dykstra: BRO
Bood: AND YOU STAYED WITH HIM FOR TWO YEARS?
Shane: Come on guys. It’s hard to date when you’re closeted.
Ilya: Yes, not everyone is okay hitting on sexy Russian rival in shower
Shane: Stop
Bood: The SHOWER?
Dykstra: I have 1000 more questions now
Wyatt: I do too. Like when did you break up?
Troy: Pretty much right before I was traded to Ottawa
Wyatt: But he was with Justin Green for months by then?
Troy: Yup.
Wyatt: Oh god. Crimson Blade is the VILLAIN?
Ilya: I will kill this man. I am Russian, I was trained to kill
Shane: He’s lying. But I’m sorry your ex sucks, Troy. For what it’s worth, Rose did a movie with him and said he was awful to work with
Troy: Really?
Shane: Yeah, he was pretty dismissive of everyone who wasn’t her. Like refused to talk to assistants and anyone else he deemed “beneath him”
Dykstra: Ew
Wyatt: Well, fuck him. Thank God for Harris
Bood: Seriously!! An angel! An apple loving angel
Ilya changed the group chat name to Harris Fan Club
Troy: :)
Ilya: He has a massive dick too. Troy told me.
Dykstra: Wow okay. Good for you Troy
Troy: Can you hit him for me Shane?
Shane: Sure
Ilya: kinky
Troy: Okay, are you sure about this?
Troy: Like sure sure? Shouldn’t I be classy? Or take the high road or something?
Harris: Fuck the high road!
Harris: And you are being classy. You’re leaving it up to the internet gays to piece the truth together
Harris: If you don’t do it this way, he’s going to talk about you for the whole press tour. You’re just taking back the narrative. Trust me, after this, his PR team’s gonna make sure he shuts up about you
Troy: Okay. Yeah. I love you
Troy: It’s just…he’s not wrong. Not entirely. I was miserable
Harris: I know pal. But what gives him the right to talk about that to the whole world?
Harris: I post 100 times a day and I would never share something like that about you. Never ever. Even if I had to undergo the impossible task of moving on from you
Troy: I hope you never have to do that.
Harris: Oh I won’t. You’re stuck with me. Even when I die, I’ll pull an Uncle Elroy and haunt the shit out of you
Troy: Good, please do
Harris: I could be nothing more than a wisp and I'd still be checking out those abs
Troy: Haha
Troy: You know the rest is bullshit right?
Harris: The rest?
Troy: Whatever he thinks he's seeing in my eyes. You make me so happy it’s stupid.
Troy: Except no, it’s not stupid. Choosing you is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
Harris: Oh buddy. Don’t make me cry
Harris: And I know you’re happy. It kind of shows on your whole face always
Troy: Good :)
Troy: Okay I’m posting.
Harris: !!!!
Troy Barrett ✔️ @TBarrett17
[image description: a hockey stick wrapped in pride tape in front of a slightly blurry rink]
In the name of total transparency (something I’m always trying to be better about), the gay NHL player the Internet has been speculating about lately is me.
I was in a monogamous relationship with Adrian Dela Cruz for two years, until November 2020. I wish him the best of luck on his creative endeavors.
I could tell you that I’m not miserable. That my friends in Ottawa and my boyfriend and my dog have transformed me so wholly that I don’t recognize who I was before. That I’ve learned that it’s possible to be gay and play damn good hockey and, above all else, be happy.
But there’s really no point in trying to prove myself. Whether you believe me or not won’t change the joy that I’ve found.
Instead of harping on that any further, I’ll just say this: please support organizations like You Can Play and The Trevor Project. Let’s do everything we can to let queer youth know that it’s not an oxymoron to be a gay hockey player.
With pride,
TB 🌈🏒
Scott Hunter ✔️ @ScottHunterOfficial
Denying who I was made me miserable. Being myself AND playing hockey brings me joy every single day (well, except for when we lose). #GayAndMiserable
Kingfisher NYC @kingfisherpub
$3 well drinks if you come by to see the Admirals beat the Voyageurs tonight! It’ll be suuuch a terrible time #GayandMiserable
Voyageurs Official ✔️ @VoyageursMTL
You misspelled lose to :) But we're there! #GayandMiserable
Kip Grady @KipGradyBoat
Nope!!!
Shane Hollander ✔️ @ShaneHollander24
The closet is a complicated place and hockey is a complicated sport. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard sometimes. But I’ll take #GayandMiserable over being “straight” and “happy” any day
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
Yes, you were very bad at being straight. @RoseLandry will agree
Rose Landry 🌹✔️ @RoseLandry
Aww Shane was the perfect boyfriend! So proud of both my #GayandMiserable boys
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
He is even better husband ;))
rose landry step on me @roses_laundry
IM SCREAMMDING
Kyle ♡ Come to Kingfisher! @KyleSwiftly
Poor baby’s crying on a beach in Greece. Sun kissed and so so miserable because he’s a millionaire Stanley cup champion :’( accepting thoughts and prayers #GayAndMiserable
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
I cannot joke about this. My life is better than yours. #BisexualAndHappy
Scott Hunter ✔️ @ScottHunterOfficial
Please stay on task
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
You were not sarcastic either! Only Kyle did it right
Kyle ♡ Come to Kingfisher! @KyleSwiftly
;))
Centaurs Official ✔️ @OttawaCentaurs
How’s this for #GayandMiserable? The Centaurs have the highest amount of active out queer players on ANY men’s professional sports team and are cup contenders for the third year in a row! 🎉
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
Yes we are very gay and very good.
Luca Haas ✔️ @LucaHaasNHL
Woo hoo!! :)
Chiron's Third Dad @centaurtrashh
!!! MY BOYYYYSSS FUCK CONTENDERS LETS GET THAT CUUUP
Ryan Price @RyanPrice
Happy doesn’t begin to cover it. #GayandMiserable
Chiron 🐾 Go Centaurs! @ChironPupOfficial
My gay dads are too busy flirting over the phone to feed me a second dinner :(( #GayandMiserable
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
CHIRON! No! When I am home I will rescue you and feed you lots of treats!!
Harris 🍎🌈 @HarrisDrover
Stop spoiling him!!
Wyatt "Hazy" Hayes ✔️ @Wyatt_Hayes
My #GayandMiserable friends are the real superheroes! So proud to play with such a diverse and talented group of guys
🕸️ andrew garfield supremacy @spideycensess
lmaooo I see what you did there
steph @stephaknee2
Wait the straightest guy on the team being the one to get messy about this is so fucking funny
Harris 🍎🌈 @HarrisDrover
I grew up #GayandMiserable because I COULDN’T play hockey. Being a part of the Centaurs changed my life and they’ve always embraced me for exactly who I am!
greyson ₊˚｡ ❆ @m0therpuck3r17
Hell yeah they ;) embraced you ;)
Harris 🍎🌈 @HarrisDrover
omg stop!! 😂
Evan Dykstra ✔️ @EvanDykstraOfficial
I’m straight, can I still be #GayandMiserable just for today?
Ilya Rozanov ✔️@IlyaRozanovWins
No. Not with that music taste.
Hayden Pike ✔️ @HaydenPikeHockey
So proud of all my #GayandMiserable friends! Honored to play with and against you.
Chiron's Third Dad @centaurtrashh
lmfao not u participating when u actually made Shane and Ilya so gay and miserable…the streets have not forgotten!!
miley 🏒 @haydenpiked3
baby you know ily but maybe sit this one out
Luca Haas ✔️ @LucaHaasNHL
I guess I should officially say that I too am #GayandMiserable
kai @hausofhaas
a win for the boys and for me personally!!
Archie Simmons ✔️ @ArchibaldSimmons
wow what a coincidence me too. we should kiss or something :) I'll be #GayandMiserable if we don't!
Luca Haas ✔️ @LucaHaasNHL
:)
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
Luca you are so bad at flirting what is this
Zane Boodram ✔️ @ZaneBoodHockey
Leave the kid alone, flirting has changed in the 30 years since you were young
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
Hmm okay I will try this way. @ShaneHollander24 :)
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
No reply. It did not work @LucaHaasNHL and terrible advice @ZaneBoodHockey
Zane Boodram ✔️ @ZaneBoodHockey
It's been 5 minutes and you're already married
Ilya Rozanov ✔️ @IlyaRozanovWins
:(
⁸¹ Winona @winonar3ads4
HI HELLO THIS TREND IS VERY CUTE BUT ARE WE SEEING THIS? NOVEMBER 2020…THE TIMELINE…THE IMPLICATIONS…
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
I WAS FUCKING RIGHT FUCK ALLLL OF YOU SIRI STREAM ALL I DO IS WIN (also hope Mr. Dela Cruz knows he will meet these fists if I have my way!!)
greyson ₊˚｡ ❆ @m0therpuck3r17
Teammates with Dallas Kent. Dating a cheating piece of shit. Deep enough in the closet to reach Narnia. 2019 Troy Barrett I wish I could hug you 😭
lynn 🐝 yellowjackets spoilers @barrettsbiceps
THE GLOW UP POST TRADE THO
greyson ₊˚｡ ❆ @m0therpuck3r17
thank you to the father (Harris Drover), the son (Chiron), and the Holy Spirit (Ilya Rozanov), amen
Tatum @tatumc3ns
he made sure to throw in that “monogamous relationship” SO WE KNEW EXACTLY WTF THIS ASSHOLE DID FUCK U ADRIAN DELA CRUZ
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