r/hockey

Posted by u/puckedup247 • 3h ago

Okay what the FUCK is going on with Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander’s mom???

So I was at this charity thing in Ottawa yesterday (my aunt volunteers) and I literally saw Ilya Rozanov having brunch with Yuna Hollander. Just the two of them. At this cozy little place on Elgin Street.

And like … they seemed REALLY comfortable with each other??? She kept touching his arm and laughing and he was doing that thing where he leans in all close when he talks. I took a pic but it’s blurry as hell (sorry, was trying to be subtle).

Am I insane or is this weird??? Why would Rozanov be hanging out with his RIVAL’S MOM???

[Blurry photo of a curly-haired man in a leather jacket sitting across from an elegant woman with long black hair at a café table]

2.4k comments

u/hockeyfan_617 819 points • 3h ago

oh my fucking god

u/BearsNation96 723 points • 3h ago

LMAOOOOO this is the most alpha shit I’ve ever seen. Rozanov is literally fucking with Hollander by dating his mom. I’m fucking DECEASED 💀💀💀

u/VoyageursForever 651 points • 2h ago

This cannot be real. This CANNOT be real. I refuse to believe this is happening.

u/CheckingForHockey 589 points • 2h ago

Guys, there’s probably a totally innocent explanation for-

Actually no, I got nothing. This is wild.

u/PuckSlut420 512 points • 2h ago

okay but can we acknowledge that Yuna Hollander is like 52 and looks like THAT? I’d shoot my shot too tbh

u/BearsNation96 301 points • 2h ago

Right??? Total rocket. Rozanov’s got taste.

u/MontrealMadness 445 points • 2h ago

Shane Hollander is somewhere having a complete fucking meltdown right now and I wish I could see it

u/hockeyinsider99 398 points • 2h ago

This is the most elaborate mindfuck in NHL history. Rozanov saw “fuck the Voyageurs” and said “okay, specifically the mother of their first line center“

LILY: Someone on reddit has picture of me and your mama at brunch

LILY: Is very blurry but still

LILY: People think I am fucking her 😂😂😂

JANE: WHAT

JANE: WHAT THE FUCK

JANE: ILYA

LILY: Is very funny!

LILY: They think I do this to mess with you

LILY: Like psychological warfare

JANE: This is NOT funny

JANE: People think you’re SLEEPING WITH MY MOTHER

LILY: I know!!! 😂😂😂

LILY: Is hilarious

JANE: ILYA.

LILY: Shane, relax

LILY: Your mama thinks is funny too

LILY: She send me the reddit link

JANE: oh my god

JANE: oh my GOD

JANE: I’m going to die

JANE: I’m literally going to die

LILY: You are so dramatic

LILY: Is good cover, no? Nobody suspects real reason I spend time with your family 😏

JANE: The real reason being that my mother has ADOPTED YOU IN HER HEART

JANE: Not that you’re FUCKING HER

LILY: Yes but they don’t know that part

LILY: So is perfect

JANE: I hate you so much right now

LILY: No you don’t

LILY: You love me

LILY: Even when I am “fucking” your beautiful mama

JANE: I’M BLOCKING YOU

LILY: 😘😘😘

TSN Hockey @TSNHockey • 2h ago

Odd sighting: #NHLBears center Ilya Rozanov spotted having brunch with Yuna Hollander (mother of #GoVoyageurs star Shane Hollander) in Ottawa yesterday. The two appeared friendly. More to come.

21.9K Retweets 87.3K Likes

Brent @BrentWallace_TSN • 2h ago

Replying to @TSNHockey

In my 20 years covering hockey, this might be the strangest development I’ve seen. What possible reason would these two have to meet?

715 Retweets 3.6K Likes

sara ✨ @wingstotheheart • 2h ago

Replying to @TSNHockey

HE’S FUCKING HIS RIVAL’S MOM TO ASSERT DOMINANCE I’M SCREAMING

12.4K Retweets 45.8K Likes

Boston Bears Memes @BearsMemes • 2h ago

Rozanov really said “I’m gonna fuck the Voyageurs” and meant it literally

[GIF of Ilya Rozanov winking at camera]

18.2K Retweets 67.9K Likes

Hockey News Network @HNN_Breaking • 1h ago

BREAKING: Sources close to the Hollander family have no comment on Ilya Rozanov’s rumored relationship with Yuna Hollander. Shane Hollander’s agent declined to comment. #NHLDrama

8.6K Retweets 35.2K Likes

jess (voys fan) @jessicarosenbaum • 1h ago

shane hollander is currently crying into his pillow somewhere in montreal and honestly? I’d be too

4.5K Retweets 16.8K Likes

@yunahollander • 1h ago

[Photo of a beautiful latte with intricate foam art, caption reads: “Perfect morning ☕️✨”]

@ilyarozanovofficial • 45m ago

[Photo of same latte from different angle, clearly the same café, caption reads: “Best coffee in Ottawa 😋”]

Group Chat: THE MOTHERFUCKING BEARS

Marly: BRO

Marly: BROOOOO

Marly: WHAT THE FUCK

Hammer: I just saw reddit

Hammer: Roz you absolute MADMAN

Carms: Please tell me this is real

Carms: Please tell me you’re actually fucking Hollander’s mom

Vicky: This is the most legendary thing anyone on this team has ever done

Ilya: 😂😂😂

Ilya: Is not like that

Marly: THEN WHAT IS IT LIKE

Marly: BECAUSE THE INTERNET THINKS YOU’RE BANGING A MILF

Ilya: Cannot say

Hammer: OH MY GOD IT IS TRUE

Ilya: No!!! Is not true!

Ilya: But is complicated

Carms: How is this complicated

Carms: Either you’re sleeping with Shane Hollander’s hot mom or you’re not

Ilya: I am NOT

Ilya: But I cannot explain why we spend time together

Vicky: This is suspicious as hell

Vicky: But also respect

Vicky: She’s gorgeous

Ilya: She is very nice lady!

Marly: “Nice lady” he says

Marly: Like he’s not all over reddit being accused of psychological warfare via cougar-fucking

Ilya: I like that everyone thinks I am badass enough to do this

Hammer: Are you saying you’re NOT going to correct them?

Ilya: …

Ilya: Why would I do that? 😏

Carms: OH SHIT

Vicky: HE’S GONNA LET THEM THINK IT

Marly: ILYA ROZANOV YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD

Hammer: Hollander is going to MURDER you

Ilya: Shane will be fine

Marly: “Shane”???

Marly: WHY DO YOU CALL HIM SHANE

Ilya: …

Ilya: We are friends sometimes

Carms: This gets weirder and weirder

Vicky: You’re friends with your rival whose mom you’re maybe-fucking???

Ilya: Is complicated hockey friendship!

Hammer: Nothing about this is normal

Ilya: I contain multitudes

Yuna Hollander updated her profile picture • 32m ago

[Photo of Yuna in a elegant navy wrap dress, smiling warmly at the camera, clearly taken recently]

David Hollander, Shane Hollander, and 247 others liked this

Comments:

David Hollander Such a beautiful wife ❤️

Yuna Hollander Love you darling 💕

Margaret Lowe Stunning as always, Yuna!

Yuna Hollander Thank you, Maggie! 😊

Emily Nguyen Girl you don’t age!!! What’s your secret???

Yuna Hollander Good genes and lots of green tea! 🍵

Kyle Jonas Hey Yuna, any comment on the rumors circulating about you and a certain Russian hockey player? 😂

David Hollander LOL. Trust me, it’s not what people think.

Yuna Hollander Life is full of funny coincidences! ☺️

The Athletic

“The Most Bizarre NHL Rumor of 2017: Investigating the Rozanov-Hollander Connection”

By Meghan Driver

Published 3 hours ago

In twenty years of sports journalism, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve covered locker room feuds, contract disputes, and even the occasional affair. But I have never — and I mean never — seen anything quite like this.

Yesterday, a photo surfaced on Reddit showing Boston Bears superstar Ilya Rozanov having what appeared to be an intimate brunch with Yuna Hollander, the mother of his long-time rival, Montreal Voyageurs captain Shane Hollander. The internet, predictably, lost its mind.

The prevailing theory? That Rozanov, known for his cocky demeanor and psychological gamesmanship on the ice, has taken his rivalry with Hollander to a whole new level by pursuing a romantic relationship with Hollander’s mother.

It sounds absurd. It sounds like something out of a bad comedy. And yet, the evidence keeps mounting.

I reached out to both the Bears and Voyageurs organizations for comment. Neither would provide one. Shane Hollander’s agent, Farah Jalali, tersely replied: “Shane has no comment on his personal family matters.”

Yuna Hollander herself, a elegant 52-year-old former gallery curator who has largely stayed out of the spotlight despite her son’s fame, has not responded to requests for comment. Her husband, David Hollander, simply laughed when I called and said, “You media folks sure know how to make a story out of nothing.”

But is it nothing?

Let’s look at the facts:

1. Rozanov and Shane Hollander have one of the most intense rivalries in modern hockey. They’ve been trading barbs and hits for seven years.
2. Rozanov was photographed having brunch with Yuna Hollander in Ottawa, appearing comfortable and familiar.
3. Both posted photos of coffee from the same café on their respective Instagram stories within fifteen minutes of each other.
4. Multiple sources in Ottawa have reported seeing the two together on at least three separate occasions over the past month.

When I asked former NHL player and current analyst Jackson Clarke what he made of the situation, he laughed so hard he started coughing.

“If this is real,” Clarke said, wiping his eyes, “this is the most legendary power move in NHL history. Can you imagine? Your biggest rival is banging your mom? That’s some psychological warfare that would make Sun Tzu weep.”

But others aren’t so sure it’s romantic.

“Maybe they just happen to get along?” Suggested hockey writer Jake Myers. “Maybe there’s a perfectly innocent explanation and we’re all being ridiculous?”

Perhaps. But in the age of social media and instant speculation, innocent explanations rarely gain traction.

And Rozanov? He seems to be enjoying every minute of it.

When approached after practice today, Rozanov simply smirked and said, “Is free country, no? Can have coffee with whoever I want.” When pressed on whether he was dating Yuna Hollander, he laughed and skated away.

Shane Hollander, meanwhile, has gone completely silent on social media — unusual for someone who typically posts several times a week.

Make of that what you will.

[Comments: 2,051]

Mom 💕: Sweetheart, have you seen all this silliness online?

Shane: Yes, Mom. I’ve seen it.

Shane: Everyone thinks you’re sleeping with my boyfriend.

Mom 💕: Well, technically they think I’m sleeping with your RIVAL 😊

Shane: MOM.

Mom 💕: I’m sorry, darling, but it IS a little bit funny

Shane: It’s NOT funny

Shane: Do you know what people are saying???

Mom 💕: That I’m a cougar who seduced a younger man?

Mom 💕: I’m quite flattered, actually

Shane: OH MY GOD

Mom 💕: Shane, breathe

Mom 💕: Nobody who matters actually believes this

Mom 💕: And it’s good cover for the real reason I’ve been spending time with Ilya

Shane: Which is that you’ve emotionally adopted him because his own mother is dead and you have too much love to give???

Mom 💕: Exactly

Mom 💕: See? You understand

Shane: I understand that my BOYFRIEND and my MOTHER are now internet famous and everyone thinks they’re FUCKING

Shane: Do you know what the guys in the locker room are saying to me???

Mom 💕: I can imagine

Mom 💕: But darling, you know the truth. We know the truth. Your father knows the truth.

Mom 💕: That’s what matters

Shane: People are making MEMES

Shane: There are MEMES, Mom

Mom 💕: I saw the one with the “distracted boyfriend” format

Mom 💕: Quite clever, actually

Shane: I want to die

Mom 💕: So dramatic

Mom 💕: You’re just like Ilya

Shane: I’m NOTHING like Ilya

Shane: Ilya thinks this is HILARIOUS

Shane: He’s actively making it WORSE

Mom 💕: He’s having fun, sweetheart

Mom 💕: You should try it sometime 😊

Shane: I’m blocking everyone I know and moving to Alaska

Mom 💕: Before you do, we’re still on for dinner Sunday, right? I’m making that salmon you love

Mom 💕: Ilya’s coming too

Shane: OF COURSE HE IS

Mom 💕: He’s family, Shane

Mom 💕: Even if the internet thinks he’s my boy-toy

Shane: I’M BLOCKING YOU TOO

Mom 💕: Love you, sweetheart 💕💕💕

Mom 💕: See you Sunday

@hockeygossip4ever • 2h ago

[Video opens on a young woman in a Bears jersey sitting in her bedroom]

“Okay, so let me break down this INSANE Ilya Rozanov situation for you because it just keeps getting better.”

[Cut to screenshots of the Reddit post]

“Yesterday, someone spotted Rozanov having brunch with Yuna Hollander — Shane Hollander’s MOM. Already weird, right?”

[Cut to the Instagram stories side by side]

“Then they BOTH post coffee from the same café. Like, they’re not even trying to hide it.”

[Cut to more screenshots]

“And people in Ottawa are saying they’ve been seen together MULTIPLE times over the past month. At galleries. At restaurants. Just … hanging out.”

[The woman leans into camera]

“Now, there are two possibilities here. One: Rozanov is actually dating Hollander’s mom, which would be the most unhinged thing to ever happen in professional sports.”

“Or two: Something else is going on and the universe is just CLOWNING us all.”

[She holds up her phone]

“But here’s the thing — Rozanov is NOT denying it. He’s doing that smirky thing he does and basically fanning the flames.”

“So either he’s actually banging his rival’s hot mom, or he WANTS us to think he is, which is almost funnier.”

[Cut to clip of Shane Hollander from a game, looking stressed]

“Meanwhile, Shane Hollander looks like he wants to crawl into a hole and die, which honestly? Relatable.”

“This is messy. This is chaotic. This is everything I want from NHL drama.”

[Video ends with her winking at camera]

“Stay tuned, besties. This story is far from over.”

♬ original sound - hockeygossip4ever

Comments:

@bearsforever ROZANOV IS A LEGEND I DON’T MAKE THE RULES

@mtlvoys4life Shane Hollander is somewhere crying into his Wheaties

@hockey_babe_93 okay but Yuna Hollander really IS gorgeous so like … I get it???

@puckedup247 I TOOK THE ORIGINAL PHOTO AND I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING

@ilyarozanovfanclub the fact that he’s not denying it makes me think it’s true 💀

From: Farah Jalali [email protected]
To: Shane Hollander [email protected]
Subject: RE: The Situation

Shane,

I’ve been fielding calls all day. ESPN, TSN, Sportsnet, even fucking TMZ wants to talk to you about your mother and Rozanov.

Obviously, you’re not commenting. But we need to discuss strategy here because this isn’t going away.

The longer you stay silent, the more people will assume the rumors are true. But if you deny them too vehemently, it’ll look suspicious for other reasons we’ve discussed.

My advice? Make a joke out of it. Post something light on social media. Show you’re unbothered.

Though between you and me, you seem pretty fucking bothered.

Call me when you can.

Best,
Farah

@shanehollanderhockeyplayer • 1h ago

[Photo of Shane at practice, looking exhausted, leaning against the boards with his helmet off. Caption: “some days are harder than others 😅🏒”]

Comments:

@ilyarozanovofficial Is okay Hollander, I make your life more interesting 😉

@hockeyfan247 OH MY GOD HE COMMENTED

@bearsandvoys THE AUDACITY

@mtlfan87 ROZANOV YOU MESSY BITCH I LOVE YOU

@haydenpike35 Hang in there buddy 💪

@jjboiziau beer later?

@hockeyinsider We see that Rozanov comment Shane 👀

@sandraloveshockey SHANE BLINK TWICE IF YOU NEED HELP

Ilya Rozanov Updates @RozanovNews • 47m ago

Ilya just commented on Shane Hollander’s Instagram post. I’m- 😭😭😭

[Screenshot of Rozanov’s comment]

9.1K Retweets 30.2K Likes

katie 🏒 @katiepuck • 46m ago

Replying to @RozanovNews

he has NO FEAR

he really doesn’t give a single fuck

absolute mad lad

3.2K Retweets 14.1K Likes

NHL Memes Daily @NHLMemesDaily • 44m ago

Rozanov really out here playing 4D chess while Hollander is playing checkers

[Meme of Rozanov’s face photoshopped onto a guy playing chess in front of multiple monitors]

12.5K Retweets 49.7K Likes

Reporter: Ilya, can we talk about the elephant in the room?

Ilya: [grinning] We have elephant? Is this new mascot?

Reporter: [laughs] The rumors about you and Yuna Hollander.

Ilya: Ah. Yes. This.

Reporter: So … any comment?

Ilya: [shrugs] Is free country. I can have coffee with whoever I want, no?

Reporter: But you understand why people are speculating-

Ilya: People always speculate. Is part of being famous. I do not worry about it.

Reporter: So you’re not denying that you’re seeing her?

Ilya: [smirks] I am not confirming or denying anything. But I will say … Yuna is very lovely woman. Very smart. Very interesting to talk to.

Reporter: And Shane Hollander — your rival — how do you think he feels about this?

Ilya: [laughs] You have to ask Hollander. But I think he is … how you say … adjusting.

Reporter: This has to be the strangest rivalry development we’ve ever covered.

Ilya: Hockey is not just about ice, you know? Is about life. About connections. About finding family where you can.

Reporter: That’s … surprisingly deep.

Ilya: I contain multitudes. [winks at camera and skates away]

r/BostonBears

Posted by u/BearsDefense_77 • 2h ago

Okay I was at practice today and I need to tell you what I overheard

So I got glass seats for the practice (yes I’m bragging) and I was close enough to hear some of the guys talking during a water break.

Cliff Marlow skated up to Rozanov and I SWEAR TO GOD this is what I heard:

Marlow: “So when do we get to meet your girlfriend?”
Ilya: [laughing] “Is not like that”
Hammersmith: “Then what is it like?”
Ilya: “Is … complicated family situation“
Carmichael: “WHOSE family?”
Ilya: [just smirks and skates away]

THE BOYS THINK HE’S ACTUALLY DOING IT

They think he’s actually fucking Shane Hollander’s mom and they’re like … in AWE of him???

I’m losing my mind.

1.8k comments

u/BearsFan2017 567 points • 1h ago

“Complicated family situation” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

u/hockeynut81 489 points • 1h ago

Either he’s banging her or something EVEN WEIRDER is happening and I can’t imagine what that would be

u/PuckLife_617 421 points • 1h ago

His teammates absolutely believe it and that’s the funniest part. They think their center is out here living some kind of porno plot.

@yunahollander • 3h ago

[Photo of a beautiful home-cooked Japanese meal laid out on a table: salmon teriyaki, miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables. Caption: “Sunday family dinner prep 🍽️ There’s nothing I love more than cooking for the people I love ❤️”]

Comments:

@davidhollander52 Lucky man to come home to this 😊

@ilyarozanovofficial Cannot wait 😋🙏

@hockeyupdates247 HE COMMENTED AGAIN

@bearsforlife “Cannot wait” HE’S GOING TO DINNER AT THEIR HOUSE

@mtl_hockey Shane Hollander is somewhere screaming into a pillow

@pucknews THIS KEEPS GETTING BETTER

@lauraknows_ott Yuna you’re handling this internet insanity with such grace 😂

@yunahollander Life’s too short to take everything so seriously! 😊

JANE: Did you just comment on my MOTHER’S Instagram post

JANE: About coming to DINNER

JANE: Where everyone can SEE IT

LILY: Yes???

LILY: Your mama invite me for Sunday dinner

LILY: I say I am excited

LILY: Is polite!

JANE: ILYA.

JANE: PEOPLE ARE GOING INSANE

JANE: There are ARTICLES about you going to my family’s house

LILY: Is good!

LILY: More people think I am there for your mama

LILY: Nobody suspects I am there for you 😏

JANE: I’m going to lose my mind

LILY: Shane

LILY: Relax

LILY: Is actually perfect cover

LILY: Think about it

JANE: I don’t WANT to think about it

JANE: I want to think about literally anything else

LILY: I think you are maybe little bit jealous

JANE: I AM NOT JEALOUS

LILY: You are!

LILY: You are jealous people think I want your mama instead of you

JANE: That’s not

JANE: I’m not

JANE: Okay MAYBE a little

JANE: Everyone keeps talking about how gorgeous she is

JANE: And how you “have good taste”

JANE: And I’m just sitting here like … what about ME

JANE: I’m the one you’re actually with!!!

LILY: Shane 💕

LILY: You are most beautiful person I know

LILY: Your mama is lovely but she is not you

LILY: Nobody compares to you

JANE: …

JANE: Okay that was smooth

JANE: I’m still mad though

LILY: How mad?

JANE: Like a 4 out of 10

LILY: I can work with that 😏

LILY: I make it up to you on Sunday

LILY: After dinner

LILY: Your papa say I can stay in guest room

LILY: But actually I sneak to your room 😏

LILY: Like old times

JANE: We’re not teenagers sneaking around anymore

JANE: We’re grown men having a fake affair scandal involving my mother

LILY: Is romantic, no?

JANE: NO.

LILY: I think is romantic

LILY: Like Romeo and Juliet

LILY: But with more hockey

LILY: And your mama

JANE: I’m going to murder you

LILY: But first dinner on Sunday? 😘

JANE: … yes

JANE: But I’m still mad

LILY: Sure, Shane

LILY: Sure 💕

“Rozanov Doubles Down: Bears Star Spotted Shopping With Yuna Hollander in Ottawa”

By Michael Andrews

Published 2 hours ago

Just when you thought this story couldn’t get any stranger.

Ilya Rozanov was spotted yesterday afternoon at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa — shopping with Yuna Hollander. Multiple witnesses report seeing the pair browsing in Williams-Sonoma (Hollander purchased new dish towels and a ceramic baking dish, according to sources) before stopping for tea at a nearby café.

“They looked like a couple,” says Rosanna Henriksen, 28, who took a photo of the two at the tea shop. “He was carrying her shopping bags and everything. It was actually really sweet.”

The photo, which has since gone viral, shows Rozanov listening attentively as Yuna gestures while speaking, both of them with cups of tea in front of them.

When reached for comment, David Hollander — Yuna’s husband and Shane’s father — simply laughed. “I trust my wife completely,” he said. “And I like Ilya. He’s a good kid.”

A good kid who is rumored to be romantically involved with his wife? I had to ask.

“The internet believes what it wants to believe,” David said. “We know the truth. That’s all that matters.”

Shane Hollander, meanwhile, has still not commented publicly on the situation. His teammates report that he’s been “quieter than usual” at practice.

“Hollander’s going through it,” said Voyageurs defenseman J.J. Boiziau. “Can’t say I blame him. This whole thing is wild.”

Rozanov, for his part, seems to be enjoying the attention. When asked after practice about the shopping trip, he simply winked and said, “I am gentleman. Gentleman carries bags.”

The internet, predictably, has lost what remains of its collective mind.

[Comments: 4,192]

@hockeygossip4ever • 4h ago

[Video opens on the same woman, now looking exhausted]

“OKAY. OKAY. So there’s been an UPDATE.”

[Cut to screenshots of the shopping photos]

“Ilya Rozanov went SHOPPING with Yuna Hollander. In OTTAWA. He was carrying her BAGS.”

[Cut to close-up of photo]

“And people who saw them say they looked like a COUPLE. Like an actual couple on a date.”

[The woman holds up her hands]

“At this point I don’t even know what to believe anymore. Either:“

[She counts on her fingers]

“One: This is real and Rozanov is actually dating his rival’s mom, which is UNHINGED.”

“Two: This is the most elaborate prank in NHL history.”

“Three: There’s a secret third option that none of us have figured out yet.”

[Cut to clip of Shane Hollander from recent game, looking absolutely miserable]

“But the real victim here is Shane Hollander, who looks like he’s been through twelve wars.”

[She leans into camera]

“Shane, buddy, if you’re watching this — and let’s be real, you probably are because what else are you gonna do — I’m so sorry. This is your personal hell and we’re all just living in it.”

[Video ends]

♬ original sound - hockeygossip4ever

Comments:

@shanehollanderhockeyplayer Can confirm it’s my personal hell

@hockeygossip4ever SHANE HOLLANDER JUST COMMENTED ON MY TIKTOK

@hockeygossip4ever I’M DEAD

@hockeygossip4ever SHANE I’M SO SORRY

@bearsforever LMAOOOOO HE COMMENTED

@mtlhockey78 SHANE NOOOO 😭😭😭

@pucklife247 this is the best day of my life

@ilyarozanovofficial 😂😂😂

@sandraloveshockey ILYA NO

@hockeyinsider HE’S MAKING IT WORSE

@bearsandvoys THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN

TRENDING

#Hollanov - 847K Tweets

#HockeyDrama - 234K Tweets

Ilya Rozanov - 907K Tweets

Shane Hollander - 892K Tweets

Yuna Hollander - 456K Tweets

Bar Down @BarDown • 3h ago

Shane Hollander just commented on a TikTok about his mom and Rozanov saying “can confirm it’s my personal hell”

We are LIVING.

[Screenshot of Shane’s comment]

67.8K Retweets 234.5K Likes

Alex @hockeylover_mtl • 3h ago

Replying to @BarDown

SHANE BREAKING HIS SILENCE TO CONFIRM HE’S SUFFERING

I’M CRYING

12.3K Retweets 48.9K Likes

NHL Memes @NHLMemeDaily • 3h ago

Shane Hollander watching Ilya Rozanov carry his mom’s shopping bags:

[GIF of someone screaming silently]

43.2K Retweets 178.3K Likes

r/hockey - NEW POST

Posted by u/mtlhockey_insider • 2h ago

Voyageurs locker room sources say Hollander is “barely holding it together”

I have a source close to the Voyageurs organization (can’t say more than that) and they’re telling me that Shane Hollander is NOT okay.

Apparently he’s been short with everyone at practice, keeps checking his phone obsessively, and nearly broke his stick over his knee yesterday when someone made a joke about “stepdad Rozanov.”

The team is split between people who think it’s hilarious and people who genuinely feel bad for him.

Hayden Pike apparently told everyone to “give Hollander some fucking space” after practice yesterday.

This is getting MESSY.

3.2k comments

u/BearsNation96 891 points • 2h ago

I mean can you blame him??? Imagine your MOTHER being in this situation

u/hockeyfan_617 756 points • 2h ago

“Stepdad Rozanov” I’M SCREAMING

u/VoyageursForever 678 points • 1h ago

Poor Shane. This has to be the worst thing to happen to a professional athlete who isn’t actually injured.

@ilyarozanovofficial • 45m ago

[Photo of Ilya in a expensive-looking cashmere sweater, leaning against a brick wall in what’s clearly Ottawa, golden hour lighting, looking unfairly attractive. Caption: “Ottawa sunsets hit different 🌅”]

Comments:

@yunahollander Beautiful photo! See you Sunday 💕

@ilyarozanovofficial Cannot wait! 😊

@hockeyupdates THEY’RE SO CASUAL ABOUT IT

@bearsforlife just two people definitely not having an affair being normal about it

@mtlfan_forever Shane somewhere: 🔪🔪🔪

@cliffmarlow Looking good Roz 💪

@shanehollanderhockeyplayer 🙃

@haydenpike35 you good bro?

@patricedrapeu do you need to talk

@hockeygossip4ever SHANE IS PASSIVE AGGRESSIVELY EMOJI-ING I’M OBSESSED

@hockeyinsider This man is FEARLESS

@sveta_vetrova Ilyusha you’re causing chaos and you know it 😂

Group Chat: THE BOYS 🏒

Pikester: Shane you okay man?

Pikester: That emoji was concerning

Shane: I’m fine.

Draper: You’re not fine

Draper: You left practice early yesterday

Boiz: And you nearly murdered that water bottle

Shane: The water bottle had it coming

Pikester: Want to talk about it?

Shane: No

Shane: Maybe

Shane: I don’t know

Pikester: Is this about your mom and Rozanov?

Shane: … yes

Draper: For what it’s worth I don’t think anything’s actually going on

Draper: Your mom seems way too classy for that

Shane: She IS classy

Shane: That’s not the point

Boiz: Then what is the point?

Shane: The point is everyone THINKS something is going on

Shane: And Ilya is just … letting them think it

Shane: He’s actively ENCOURAGING it

Pikester: Why would he do that?

Shane: Because he thinks it’s FUNNY

Shane: Because he’s a MENACE

Pikester: But why would your mom be hanging out with him so much in the first place?

Shane:  …

Shane: It’s complicated

Draper: Complicated how?

Shane: I can’t explain

Boiz: Shane

Shane: I really can’t

Shane: Just trust me that there’s a perfectly innocent explanation

Pikester: Which is?

Shane: I CAN’T SAY

Draper: Suspicious

Shane: I know how it looks okay???

Shane: But nothing is happening between them

Shane: I promise

Pikester: We believe you man

Boiz: Yeah, we’re on your side

Draper: Even if we don’t understand what the fuck is going on

Pikester: You know you can tell us anything right?

Shane: …

Shane: I know

Shane: I will

Shane: Eventually

Shane: Just not yet

Boiz: Fair enough

Draper: But seriously, are you okay?

Shane: I’ve been better

Shane: But I’ll survive

Pikester: If Rozanov keeps messing with you we’ll fuck him up next game

Shane: Don’t

Shane: Please don’t

Shane: Just … let it play out

Pikester: If you’re sure

Shane: I’m sure

Shane: Thanks guys

Draper: Anytime bro

Boiz: We got your back

The Hollander house smells like ginger and soy sauce and something sweet — maybe the carrot cake Yuna made for dessert. Shane stands in the kitchen, pretending to help his mother prep while actually just spiraling.

“Darling, you’re cutting those carrots all wrong,” Yuna says gently, taking the knife from his hands. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Shane lies.

“Shane.” His mother gives him that look — the one she’s perfected over thirty years of motherhood. “Talk to me.”

“It’s just …” Shane leans against the counter. “Everyone thinks you and Ilya are … and he’s not denying it. He’s making it worse. And I know it’s good cover but it’s also-”

“Making you jealous?”

Shane’s head snaps up. “What? No. I’m not-”

“Shane.” Yuna smiles, reaching up to cup his face. “You forget I’m your mother. I know you better than anyone.”

“Maybe a little jealous,” Shane admits quietly. “Everyone keeps saying how gorgeous you are and how lucky Ilya is and I’m just … that’s MY boyfriend they’re talking about. Even if they don’t know it.”

Yuna’s expression softens. “Oh, sweetheart.”

“And the worst part is that I can’t even be mad because he IS lucky,” Shane continues. “Lucky to have found you. Lucky that you’ve taken him in and given him the family he lost. I’m not jealous of that. I love that. I just-”

“You wish people knew the truth,” Yuna finishes.

“Yeah.”

The doorbell rings.

“That’ll be him,” David calls from the living room. “I’ll get it!”

Shane’s stomach does something complicated. Through the doorway, he watches his father open the door to reveal Ilya, holding flowers and a bottle of wine, looking unfairly good in dark jeans and a soft grey t-shirt.

“David!” Ilya grins, pulling Shane’s father into a hug. “Thank you for having me.”

“Of course, son,” David says, and Shane’s heart does the thing it always does when his dad calls Ilya that — all warm and tight and overwhelming. “Come in, come in.”

Ilya spots Shane in the kitchen doorway. Their eyes meet. Ilya’s smile shifts into something softer, more private — the smile he saves just for Shane.

“Hollander,” Ilya says, walking over.

“Rozanov,” Shane replies, because apparently they’re still maintaining the rival thing even though his parents literally know everything.

“These are for you, Yuna,” Ilya says, handing over the flowers — beautiful white peonies. “And wine for dinner.”

“Ilya, they’re gorgeous!” Yuna takes the flowers, genuinely delighted. “You didn’t have to.”

“Is nothing,” Ilya says. Then, quieter, to Shane: “You look tired.”

“I wonder why,” Shane mutters.

Ilya’s eyes dance with amusement. “Cannot imagine.”

“Boys, dinner’s almost ready,” Yuna announces. “David, can you set the table?”

“On it,” David says. “Ilya, come help me? Shane’s been completely useless in the kitchen.”

“Hey,” Shane protests, but his dad’s already steering Ilya toward the dining room.

Twenty minutes later, they’re all seated around the table, and it’s so domestic and perfect that Shane wants to cry. Ilya fits here, at this table, in this house, with his family. Has fit here since the first time Yuna insisted he come for dinner after finding out he spends most holidays alone.

“So Ilya,” David says, serving himself more salmon. “How’s the season treating you?”

“Is good,” Ilya says. “Team is playing well. I feel strong.”

“Your line is lethal,” David continues, because Shane’s dad is also a hockey nerd who watches every game regardless of team. “That play you made last week against Tampa-”

They fall into easy hockey talk. Shane watches Ilya’s face as he discusses strategy with David, watches his mother watch both of them with that soft expression she gets, and feels something settle in his chest.

This is his family. All of them.

“Shane, you’re quiet,” Yuna observes.

“Just thinking,” Shane says.

Underneath the table, Ilya’s foot finds Shane’s. Gentle pressure. Reassurance.

“Dangerous pastime,” Ilya teases.

“Someone has to think in this relationship,” Shane shoots back without thinking, then freezes.

His parents, bless them, just smile knowingly.

“So,” David says, changing the subject smoothly, “have you boys seen what the internet is saying?”

“Oh god,” Shane groans.

“It’s quite creative,” Yuna says, pulling out her phone. “Someone made a TikTok set to ‘Stacy’s Mom.’ Shane is apparently Stacy.”

“Mama, no,” Shane whimpers.

“Is very funny!” Ilya laughs. “I sent to my teammates.”

“You’re ENCOURAGING this,” Shane accuses.

“Yes,” Ilya says simply. “Because is perfect cover, and also because is hilarious watching you be jealous of your own mama.”

“I’m not jealous!”

“Shane, darling, you’re absolutely jealous,” Yuna says, patting his hand. “It’s sweet.”

“I hate everyone at this table,” Shane announces.

“No you don’t,” David says cheerfully. “You love us.”

And god, he does. He really, really does.

After dinner, Shane and Ilya do dishes while his parents settle in the living room with tea. It’s peaceful, domestic. Ilya washes, Shane dries. Their hips bump occasionally. It’s nice.

“Thank you,” Ilya says quietly.

“For what?”

“For sharing your family with me.” Ilya’s voice goes soft. “I know this is … complicated. With everyone thinking I am with your mama. But being here, being part of this … means everything.”

Shane sets down the dish towel and turns to face him. “Ilya-”

“I am sorry if I am making things harder,” Ilya continues. “I just think … if people believe I come here for Yuna, nobody looks closer. Nobody suspects truth.”

“I know,” Shane says. “And you’re right. It’s just hard sometimes. Watching everyone talk about you two and knowing I can’t say anything.”

Ilya glances toward the living room, then quickly leans in to press a kiss to Shane’s temple. “I am yours, Shane. Only yours. Internet can think what they want.”

“Boys, do you want tea?” Yuna calls.

They spring apart like teenagers.

“Yes please!” Ilya calls back, grinning at Shane’s flushed face.

Later, much later, after tea and conversation and Yuna’s mochi and his parents heading to bed, Shane lies in his childhood bedroom staring at the ceiling. The house is quiet.

His door opens. Ilya slips in, quiet as a ghost.

“You’re going to get us caught,” Shane whispers.

“Your parents know I am sneaking to your room,” Ilya whispers back, climbing into bed. “Your papa winked at me earlier.”

“Oh my god.”

“Is cute,” Ilya says, wrapping around Shane like an octopus. “They want us to be happy.”

Shane turns in his arms. In the darkness, he can just make out Ilya’s features. “Are you happy?”

“With you? Always.”

They kiss, slow and sweet, and Shane thinks maybe the chaos is worth it. Maybe the rumors and the jokes and the internet losing its mind is all worth it for this — Ilya in his arms, his family downstairs, everything slotting into place.

“The internet is going to lose its shit when they find out the truth,” Shane murmurs against Ilya’s mouth.

“When?” Ilya pulls back slightly. “Not if?”

“I’m tired of hiding,” Shane admits. “Not yet. But … someday. Maybe.”

“Someday,” Ilya agrees, pulling him closer. “But for now, we have this.”

“Yeah,” Shane breathes. “We have this.”

@ilyarozanovofficial • 7:32 AM

[Photo taken from clearly the Hollander’s back deck — view of trees and morning mist, coffee cup in foreground. Caption: “Best Sunday mornings 🌤️☕”]

Comments:

@yunahollander So glad you enjoyed! Come back anytime 💕

@shanehollanderhockeyplayer …

@haydenpike35 shane that’s not even an emoji that’s just ominous punctuation

@jjboiziau you okay buddy?

@puckedup246 Shane’s losing it and honestly same

Hockey Insider @HockeyInsider_1 • 8:15 AM

BREAKING: Multiple sources confirm Ilya Rozanov stayed overnight at the Hollander residence in Ottawa last night.

34.2K Retweets 128.7K Likes

jess @hockeyobsessed • 8:17 AM

Replying to @HockeyInsider_1

HE STAYED OVERNIGHT

OVERNIGHT

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

8.9K Retweets 34.5K Likes

NHL Chaos @NHLChaos • 8:19 AM

Ilya Rozanov really spent the night at his rival’s parents’ house

Either he’s got the biggest balls in the NHL or something else is going on here

15.6K Retweets 67.8K Likes

Ilya walks in to a standing ovation.

“LEGEND!” Marlow shouts.

“Absolute LEGEND!” Hammersmith echoes.

Carmichael slow-claps. St-Simon wolf-whistles. The entire team is on their feet, applauding like Ilya just scored the Cup-winning goal.

“What is this?” Ilya laughs, though he knows exactly what this is.

“You STAYED OVER,” Marlow says, pointing accusingly. “At Hollander’s house. Where his MOTHER lives.”

“Was guest room,” Ilya protests, still grinning.

“Sure it was,” Hammersmith says. “Guest room. Right next to Shane Hollander’s room. Who you HATE.”

“Don’t hate Hollander,” Ilya says. “Is just rival.”

“You’re fucking his mom to assert dominance,” Carmichael says, shaking his head in awe. “I didn’t think you actually had it in you.”

“Is not-” Ilya starts, then stops. Shrugs. “Believe what you want.”

“Holy shit,” St-Simon breathes. “He’s not denying it.”

“Why would I deny?” Ilya asks innocently. “You all already believe. What difference does it make?”

The locker room erupts. Guys are high-fiving him, slapping his back, treating him like he just pulled off the greatest prank in NHL history.

Coach LeClaire sticks his head in. “What the hell is going on in here?”

“Rozanov’s a god among men, coach!” Marlow announces.

LeClaire looks at Ilya. Ilya shrugs. LeClaire shakes his head and retreats.

Ilya’s phone buzzes. Multiple messages from Shane, all in caps. He grins and types back a string of heart emojis.

r/BostonBears

Posted by u/BearsDefense_77 • 1h ago

Rozanov got a STANDING OVATION when he walked into the locker room today

I was at practice. The whole team stood up and applauded when he arrived. They were chanting his name.

Cliff Marlow literally called him a “legend.”

They think he’s actually doing it. They think he’s actually sleeping with Shane Hollander’s mom and they’re treating him like a god.

This timeline is INSANE.

4.2k comments

Shane walks in to significantly less applause and significantly more concerned looks.

“Shane,” Hayden says carefully. “You good?”

“Fine,” Shane says tersely.

“The internet says Rozanov stayed over at your parents’ place,” J.J. says.

“He did.”

“In the guest room?” Drapeau asks.

“Yes,” Shane says, which is technically not a lie — Ilya started in the guest room before sneaking to Shane’s room.

“And you’re … okay with that?” Hayden asks.

“It’s complicated,” Shane says, which is becoming his standard answer.

“Complicated how?” J.J. presses.

Shane opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

He’s so tired of lying. So tired of hiding. So tired of watching everyone talk about Ilya and his mother when the truth is so much simpler and so much more complicated all at once.

“I need to tell you guys something,” Shane says suddenly.

The locker room goes quiet.

“Shane,” Hayden says slowly. “What’s going on?”

Shane’s phone buzzes. A text from Ilya: Don’t tell them yet. We need plan. Please.

Shane looks at his phone. Looks at his teammates. Takes a breath.

“Never mind,” he says. “It’s nothing.”

But it’s not nothing, and they all know it.

JANE: Almost told my teammates

JANE: Almost told them everything

LILY: Shane no

JANE: I know

JANE: I didn’t

JANE: But I wanted to

LILY: I am sorry

LILY: I know is hard

JANE: The team gave you a standing ovation didn’t they

LILY: … maybe

JANE: Of course they did

JANE: Because you’re “fucking my mom”

JANE: When really you’re fucking ME

LILY: Well when you put it like that …

JANE: Ilya.

LILY: Is still good cover!

JANE: I hate this

JANE: I hate hiding

JANE: I hate that everyone thinks you’re with her instead of me

LILY: I know, solnyshko

LILY: I know

LILY: But we cannot come out yet

LILY: Need to think

JANE: I know

JANE: Doesn’t make it easier

LILY: Come to Boston next week

LILY: We have two days between games

LILY: I make it up to you

JANE: … okay

JANE: But you’re not posting about it

LILY: 😇

JANE: Ilya

JANE: ILYA

Shane takes the train to Boston on a Tuesday. He wears a baseball cap and sunglasses even though it’s overcast. Old habits.

Ilya picks him up at the station in his obnoxious Spyder, grinning like an idiot.

“Shaney!”

“Don’t,” Shane warns, but he’s smiling despite himself.

They make it back to Ilya’s place without incident. The building has good security, the elevator is private, and Ilya’s apartment is theirs — a bubble where they don’t have to pretend.

Shane barely gets his shoes off before Ilya is on him, kissing him breathless, walking him backward toward the bedroom.

“Missed you,” Ilya mumbles against his mouth.

“Saw you three days ago,” Shane says, but he’s clutching Ilya just as desperately.

“Three days too long.”

They fall into bed, familiar and new all at once. Seven years and it still feels like this — urgent and tender and right.

After, Shane lies with his head on Ilya’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Your mama texted me,” Ilya says, fingers tracing patterns on Shane’s shoulder.

“Of course she did.”

“She sent article about us. Asked if I was okay with all the attention.”

“Are you?”

“Da,” Ilya says. “Is fine. I don’t mind what people think.”

“I mind,” Shane admits quietly.

Ilya’s hand stills. “I know.”

“Everyone thinks you’re with her. Nobody knows about us. About this.” Shane gestures between them. “We’ve been together for seven years and we still have to sneak around like teenagers.”

“Shane-”

“I’m not saying we should come out tomorrow,” Shane interrupts. “I know the risks. I know what it could do to our careers, to our families. I just …” He swallows hard. “Sometimes I wish I could just post a photo and be done with it. No more hiding. No more lies.”

Ilya is quiet for a long moment.

“Okay,” he says finally.

Shane props himself up on an elbow. “Okay what?”

“Okay, we do it.” Ilya meets his eyes. “We tell truth. We come out.”

“Ilya-”

“I am serious, Shaney.” Ilya cups Shane’s face. “You are right. Seven years is long time. I am tired too. Tired of hiding you. Tired of pretending you are not most important person in my life.”

Shane’s breath catches. “You mean it?”

“Da.” Ilya pulls him down for a soft kiss. “But we do it right. We tell our families first. Our teams. Then public.”

“The NHL is going to lose its mind.”

“Let them,” Ilya says simply. “I choose you over everything. Always.”

Shane kisses him again, deeper this time, pouring seven years of secrecy and longing and love into it.

“When?” He asks when they part.

Ilya grins, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. “I have idea. But you might not like it.”

“Why wouldn’t I like it?”

“Because is maybe little bit chaotic.”

“Ilya, everything with you is chaotic.”

“Da, but this is extra chaotic.” Ilya’s grin widens. “We keep doing what we are doing. Let everyone think I am with your mama. Build it up. Make it huge story.”

“And then?”

“And then we reveal truth in most dramatic way possible.” Ilya wiggles his eyebrows. “What do you think?”

Shane considers this. Considers the chaos. Considers the internet losing its collective mind.

“I think you’re insane.”

“But?” Ilya prompts.

“But I’m in.”

They seal it with a kiss.

@ilyarozanovofficial • Instagram Story • 2:41 PM

[Photo of two coffee cups from a Montreal café, caption: “When in Montreal 🍁☕”]

@yunahollander • Instagram Story • 2:49 PM

[Photo of same café from different angle, caption: “Lovely afternoon ☕✨”]

Twitter promptly detonates.

NHL Updates @NHLUpdates_24 • 2:53 PM

Rozanov is in MONTREAL. And Yuna Hollander just posted from the same café.

They’re not even trying to hide it anymore.

45.2K Retweets 187.4K Likes

hockey tea @spillthepuck • 2:55 PM

AT THIS POINT IT’S NOT EVEN A RUMOR

THEY’RE FLAUNTING IT

SHANE HOLLANDER WHERE ARE YOU

23.8K Retweets 98.7K Likes

montreal gazette @montrealgazette • 3:02 PM

Our photographer spotted Ilya Rozanov and Yuna Hollander at Café Mystique in Old Montreal. The two appeared comfortable and affectionate. Photos coming soon.

67.3K Retweets 234.8K Likes

r/hockey - MEGATHREAD

MEGATHREAD: The Rozanov-Yuna Hollander Situation

Posted by u/mods_r/hockey • 3 hours ago

Due to the massive influx of posts, we’re consolidating all discussion of Ilya Rozanov and Yuna Hollander here.

Keep it civil. Speculation is fine but don’t be gross about it.

Sort by: New

u/hockeyfan_617 2.1k points • 3h ago

They’re in Montreal. HER city. Where her SON plays hockey.

The balls on Rozanov are ASTRONOMICAL.

u/BearsNation96 1.8k points • 2h ago

I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life as a hockey fan

This is going to be a 30 for 30 one day

u/VoyageursForever 1.6k points • 2h ago

Shane Hollander hasn’t posted on social media in two weeks

I think he’s actually dying

u/MontrealMadness 1.4k points • 2h ago

THEY’RE IN MY CITY

I’M GOING TO THE OLD MONTREAL RIGHT NOW

WILL REPORT BACK

u/CheckingForHockey 1.2k points • 2h ago

okay genuine question: do we think this is actually romantic or is there something else going on?

because the more I think about it the less sense it makes

like WHY would they be this public about it if it was real???

u/hockeynerd247 847 points • 2h ago

counterpoint: rich people do weird shit all the time

u/BearsNation96 623 points • 1h ago

counterpoint to your counterpoint: this is TOO weird even for rich people

JANE: So we’re really doing this

JANE: Saturday night

JANE: National broadcast

JANE: In front of 22,000 people

LILY: Da! 😁

LILY: Is perfect

LILY: Everyone will be watching

LILY: Boston vs Montreal always big game

JANE: I’m going to throw up

LILY: You will be fine, solnyshko

LILY: I will be there

LILY: Will catch you if you faint 😘

JANE: Not helping

LILY: Just follow plan

LILY: I chirp you about your mama

LILY: You drop gloves like you want to fight

LILY: Everyone thinks you finally snap

LILY: And then …

JANE: And then I kiss you

JANE: In front of the entire hockey world

JANE: Oh god

LILY: Is romantic!

LILY: Like movie!

JANE: It’s INSANE

LILY: Yes

LILY: But is our insane 💕

JANE: Okay

JANE: Let’s do it

LILY: I love you, Shane

JANE: I love you too

JANE: Even though you’re a maniac

LILY: Especially because I am maniac 😏

TSN Broadcast - Voyageurs vs. Bears

PLAY-BY-PLAY: Chris Cuthbert
COLOR COMMENTARY: Ray Ferraro
RINKSIDE: Caroline Cameron

[7:03 PM - Pre-Game]

CHRIS: Good evening hockey fans and welcome to the Bell Centre in Montreal for what promises to be an absolutely electric matchup between the Montreal Voyageurs and the Boston Bears. I’m Chris Cuthbert alongside Ray Ferraro, and Ray, the storyline coming into this game-

RAY: [laughing] Chris, there’s only ONE storyline everyone wants to talk about, and that’s Ilya Rozanov and the Hollander family situation.

CHRIS: Indeed. For those just joining us, Bears center Ilya Rozanov has been spotted multiple times over the past month with Yuna Hollander, the mother of Voyageurs captain Shane Hollander. The two have been — well, there’s no other way to put it — they’ve been very public about spending time together.

RAY: And Shane Hollander has been … let’s say, noticeably quiet about the whole thing. Word around the league is that he’s not handling it well.

CHRIS: The question on everyone’s mind tonight: will these two keep it professional, or are we going to see something boil over?

RAY: Chris, I’ve been covering hockey for thirty years. If Hollander drops the gloves with Rozanov tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised.

CHRIS: Neither would I, Ray. Neither would I.

[7:47 PM - End of First Period - Scoreless]

CAROLINE: [rinkside] Chris, Ray, I’m down here between the benches and I can tell you the tension is palpable. Every time Rozanov and Hollander are on the ice together, the crowd gets louder. There have been several … let’s call them “words exchanged” between the two centers already.

CHRIS: What are they saying, Caroline?

CAROLINE: Nothing family-friendly, I can tell you that much. But Rozanov seems to be doing most of the talking, and Hollander looks like he’s about two seconds from exploding.

RAY: This is going to get interesting in the second period. Mark my words.

[8:23 PM - Second Period, 12:47 remaining]

CHRIS: Faceoff in the Voyageurs zone, Hollander and Rozanov line up across from each other … and Rozanov is saying something-

RAY: Oh he’s chirping him, Chris. Look at Hollander’s face.

CHRIS: Hollander wins the draw, puck goes back to Price on the point—OH! Rozanov just gave Hollander a shove after the faceoff!

RAY: That’s a late hit, and Hollander is NOT happy-

CHRIS: Hollander turns around, he’s skating right back to Rozanov—they’re jaw-to-jaw now-

RAY: Here we go-

CHRIS: The linesmen are moving in but—WAIT! HOLLANDER JUST DROPPED HIS GLOVES!

RAY: OH MY GOD HE’S GOING FOR ITa

CHRIS: The gloves are off, Rozanov is dropping his gloves too—this is happening! After weeks of speculation, Shane Hollander has had ENOUGH-

RAY: Look at his face, Chris, he looks absolutely-

CHRIS: Hollander grabs Rozanov’s jersey, pulling him close-

RAY: Here comes the fight-

CHRIS: He’s grabbing Rozanov’s face—wait— WAIT-

RAY: WHAT-

CHRIS: OH MY GOD

RAY: DID HE JUST-

CHRIS: SHANE HOLLANDER JUST KISSED ILYA ROZANOV

RAY: [complete silence]

CHRIS: I—ON THE ICE—IN THE MIDDLE OF-

RAY: [still silent]

CHRIS: Ladies and gentlemen, Shane Hollander just grabbed Ilya Rozanov’s face and KISSED HIM. On the ice. In front of twenty-two thousand fans. On national television.

RAY: [faintly] I … what …

CHRIS: The Bell Centre has gone COMPLETELY SILENT. I have never—in my entire career

RAY: Chris, I need a minute. I need—what did we just witness?

CHRIS: [laughing in disbelief] The refs don’t even know what to do! They’re just standing there! The linesmen are frozen! Both benches are—oh my god, both benches are standing up-

RAY: [finding his voice] HOLLANDER AND ROZANOV ARE—THEY’RE-

CHRIS: They’re still kissing, Ray. They’re—Rozanov’s hands are in Hollander’s hair—this is-

RAY: Most shocking moment in NHL history. Bar none.

CHRIS: The crowd is starting to react now—some cheers, some gasps—I’m seeing phones everywhere—everyone is recording this-

RAY: Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are together. TOGETHER together. Not Rozanov and Hollander’s mother—HOLLANDER HIMSELF.

CHRIS: They’re pulling apart now—Rozanov is grinning—of COURSE he’s grinning—and Hollander looks—he looks relieved?

RAY: Eight years, Chris. These two have been rivals since before they were drafted. And they’re—they’re in love?

CHRIS: The refs are finally moving—they’re escorting both players off the ice—I don’t even know what penalty this is-

RAY: There IS no penalty for this! What are they going to call? Unsportsmanlike conduct for kissing?

CHRIS: [laughing helplessly] Both coaches look absolutely shell-shocked. The Voyageurs bench—wait, Hayden Pike is LAUGHING. J.J. Boiziau has his head in his hands.

RAY: The Bears bench—Marlow is hugging Hammermsith—they KNEW. Some of them must have guessed!

CHRIS: Ladies and gentlemen, we need to take a commercial break because I legitimately don’t know how to continue calling this game.

RAY: The internet just broke. I guarantee you, the internet just completely broke.

CHRIS: When we come back—if we can even continue—we’ll try to make sense of what we just witnessed. Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Together. Holy … holy shit.

RAY: You can’t say that on air, Chris.

CHRIS: Ray, I genuinely don’t care right now.

#Hollanov - 2.4M Tweets

#HockeyHistory - 1.8M Tweets

Shane Hollander - 3.1M Tweets

Ilya Rozanov - 2.9M Tweets

THEY KISSED - 1.2M Tweets

NOT THE MOM - 847K Tweets

Bar Down @BarDown • 1m ago

SHANE HOLLANDER JUST KISSED ILYA ROZANOV ON THE ICE

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

I REPEAT: THIS IS NOT A DRILL

[Video clip]

287.4K Retweets 1.2M Likes

NHL @NHL • 1m ago

History.

🏒🏳️‍🌈

[Photo of the kiss]

412.8K Retweets 2.1M Likes

Yuna Hollander @yunahollander • 30s ago

My beautiful boys 💕🏒🏳️‍🌈

So proud. So happy.

(And yes, before you ask — Ilya and I were NEVER together. He’s my son-in-law. Or will be. Hopefully. 😊)

156.9K Retweets 789.2K Likes

r/hockey - EMERGENCY MEGATHREAD

[MEGATHREAD] SHANE HOLLANDER AND ILYA ROZANOV JUST KISSED ON THE ICE

Posted by u/mods_r/hockey • 2m ago

WHAT THE FUCK

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

THEY WEREN’T ENEMIES

ROZANOV WASN’T FUCKING HOLLANDER’S MOM

THEY’RE TOGETHER

THEY’VE BEEN TOGETHER THIS WHOLE TIME

28.4K comments in 2 minutes

u/hockeyfan_617 8.9k points • 2m ago

I NEED TO LIE DOWN

I NEED TO PROCESS

WHAT IS HAPPENING

u/BearsNation96 7.2k points • 2m ago

THE ULTIMATE PLOT TWIST

ROZANOV WAS FUCKING A HOLLANDER

JUST NOT THE ONE WE THOUGHT

u/VoyageursForever 6.8k points • 1m ago

SEVEN YEARS

THEY’VE BEEN “RIVALS” FOR SEVEN YEARS

AND IT WAS ALL A COVER

I’M SCREAMING

u/CheckingForHockey 6.1k points • 1m ago

REMEMBER WHEN I SAID SOMETHING ELSE WAS GOING ON???

I FUCKING CALLED IT

KIND OF

NOT REALLY

BUT STILL

TSN Broadcast - After Commercial Break

[8:31 PM]

CHRIS: [deep breath] Okay. We’re back. The game has been … temporarily suspended while officials figure out what to do. Both Hollander and Rozanov have been sent to their respective locker rooms.

RAY: Chris, I’ve been checking my phone during the break — which I never do — but the entire sports world is melting down right now.

CHRIS: As they should be. This is unprecedented. We just witnessed the first active NHL players come out as a couple. On the ice. During a game. By KISSING.

RAY: And the “Rozanov and Yuna Hollander” situation-

CHRIS: Was apparently a cover. Or a misunderstanding. Or … honestly, Ray, I’m not sure what it was.

RAY: Yuna Hollander just tweeted that Ilya is essentially her son-in-law. That they were never together romantically.

CHRIS: So Rozanov was spending time with his boyfriend’s mother, the internet assumed it was romantic, and they just … let everyone believe it?

RAY: As cover, apparently. So nobody would suspect the truth.

CHRIS: That is—[starts laughing] that is actually brilliant.

RAY: It’s the most elaborate coming-out strategy I’ve ever heard of.

CHRIS: Caroline, you’re down by the Voyageurs bench — can you tell us what’s happening?

CAROLINE: [rinkside] Chris, it’s absolute chaos down here. The Voyageurs players are huddled together, some of them are laughing, some look shocked — Hayden Pike keeps saying “I KNEW IT” over and over-

RAY: Did the team know?

CAROLINE: From what I’m gathering, some suspected, but most are finding out right now along with the rest of us.

CHRIS: This is … this is going to be the only thing anyone talks about for months.

RAY: Months? Chris, this is going to be talked about for YEARS.

[8:35 PM]

Shane sits in his stall, hands shaking, still in his gear minus his gloves and helmet. His phone is buzzing non-stop. The door opens and his entire team files in, practice cut short.

Hayden reaches him first. “Dude.”

“I know,” Shane says.

“DUDE.”

“I KNOW.”

“You and ROZANOV?” J.J. appears, eyes wide. “This WHOLE TIME?”

“Seven years,” Shane admits, and saying it out loud feels like exhaling after holding his breath forever.

“SEVEN-” Drapeau voice cracks. “SEVEN YEARS?!”

“The rivalry was fake?” Hayden asks, sitting down hard on the bench.

“No, the rivalry was real,” Shane says quickly. “We’re competitive as hell. We genuinely want to beat each other every game. We just also … happen to be in love.”

The locker room erupts.

“How?” J.J. demands. “HOW did you hide this?”

“Very carefully,” Shane says. “And with a lot of help from-”

“Your MOM,” Hayden interrupts, starting to laugh. “Oh my GOD. Everyone thought Rozanov was sleeping with your MOM.”

“He wasn’t,” Shane says firmly. “She’s been—she basically adopted him. She wanted to give him family.”

“So you let the entire internet think they were fucking?” Drapeau asks incredulously.

“It was good cover,” Shane says, then can’t help laughing at how insane that sounds. “Nobody was looking for the real story.”

“Until you kissed him,” Hayden says. “On the ice. On national TV.”

“We were tired of hiding,” Shane says simply.

The door bursts open. A flood of media members try to enter before security pushes them back.

“Shane, we need you for media availability,” one of the team’s PR people says, looking completely overwhelmed.

“Now?” Shane asks.

“Everyone wants to talk to you. NHL, TSN, ESPN, Sportsnet — everyone.”

Shane takes a deep breath. Looks at his teammates. “Any advice?”

“Be honest,” Hayden says. “You’ve been lying for seven years. Time to tell the truth.”

“And maybe don’t describe the sex stuff in detail,” J.J. adds. “League might frown on that.”

“Jesus, Boiz,” Drapeau mutters.

Shane stands, still shaky but determined. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

[8:47 PM]

The media area is packed. Easily fifty reporters, all shoving phones and microphones toward Shane’s stall. He’s changed into a suit now, hair still damp from a quick shower.

REPORTER 1: Shane, can you explain what just happened out there?

SHANE: [takes breath] Ilya Rozanov and I have been in a relationship for seven years. We’ve kept it private for … a lot of reasons. But we decided it was time to stop hiding.

REPORTER 2: So the rumors about Rozanov and your mother-

SHANE: Were just rumors. My mother has been incredibly supportive of our relationship. Ilya’s mother passed away many years ago, and my mom kind of … adopted him. They’re close. But not romantic. Never romantic.

REPORTER 3: Why did you let people believe they were together?

SHANE: [slight smile] We didn’t, really. People made assumptions. We just didn’t correct them. It kept attention off the real relationship.

REPORTER 4: Shane, you and Rozanov have been rivals for years-

SHANE: We’re still rivals. We compete hard every game. That part was never fake. We just happen to love each other off the ice.

REPORTER 5: How long have you known you were-

SHANE: Gay? A while. But I wasn’t ready to come out. The NHL isn’t always the most welcoming place.

REPORTER 6: Do you think it will be now?

SHANE: [pauses] I hope so. Ilya and I — we wanted to do this for every kid who’s sitting at home watching hockey and wondering if there’s a place for them in this sport. There is. There has to be.

REPORTER 7: What was going through your head when you kissed him?

SHANE: [laughs] Honestly? Terror. And relief. Mostly relief. We’ve been hiding for so long, and it was exhausting. I just … I wanted everyone to know. I wanted to be able to look at him without pretending I don’t love him.

REPORTER 8: Shane, your mother just tweeted-

SHANE: [pulling out phone] Oh god, what did she say?

REPORTER 8: She called you both her “beautiful boys” and said Ilya is her son-in-law. Or will be.

SHANE: [blushes bright red] We’re not—we haven’t—she’s just enthusiastic about the relationship.

REPORTER 9: Are you planning to get married?

SHANE: Can we maybe take this one step at a time? We literally came out ten minutes ago.

REPORTER 10: How do you think the league will respond?

SHANE: I don’t know. I hope they’ll be supportive. But even if they’re not … [looks directly at camera] I’m not going back in the closet. And neither is Ilya.

[8:52 PM]

Ilya sits in his stall, looking completely unbothered by the absolute circus happening around him. If anything, he seems to be enjoying it. He’s changed into game-day suit, hair artfully messed up, that insufferable smirk firmly in place.

REPORTER 1: Ilya, you and Shane Hollander-

ILYA: Are together, yes. For seven years. Is very nice. He is very pretty. [grins wider]

REPORTER 2: So you weren’t dating his mother?

ILYA: [laughs] No! Yuna is like mother to me. MY mother died when I was 12 years old. Yuna and David, they give me family. Shane’s family is my family now.

REPORTER 3: But you let everyone think-

ILYA: [shrugs] People think what they want to think. We do not confirm, do not deny. Is good cover. Nobody looks for truth when they think they already know.

REPORTER 4: That seems … calculated.

ILYA: [smirking] Was very calculated. Was genius. I am genius.

REPORTER 5: Ilya, you and Hollander have fought on the ice before-

ILYA: Da, we fight sometimes. He is very competitive. I am very competitive. We push each other. Make each other better players.

REPORTER 6: And then you go home together?

ILYA: Not always. Sometimes he goes to Montreal, I stay in Boston. But when we can … yes. We are together.

REPORTER 7: How do you make that work with the rivalry?

ILYA: Is easy. On ice, I want to destroy him. [grins] Want to score all goals, make him look silly. Off ice, I want to-

MARLOW: [shouting from across locker room] ILYA NO.

ILYA: [laughing] -make him happy! I want to make him happy!

REPORTER 8: Your teammates seem supportive.

ILYA: They are best teammates. Some knew already. Some suspected. All are good.

REPORTER 9: What about the league? Are you worried about backlash?

ILYA: [leans forward, smirk fading into something more serious] I play good hockey. Shane plays good hockey. We are two of best centers in NHL. If people have problem with who we love … [shrugs] is their problem, not ours.

REPORTER 10: That’s a very confident stance.

ILYA: I am very confident person. [smirk returns] Also, what are they going to do? Trade us? Fine. We play for new teams. Fire us? We go to Europe. We are Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. We are superstars. They need us more than we need them.

REPORTER 11: Ilya, when did you know you were in love with him?

ILYA: [smile goes soft] Long time ago. He was so serious, so focused. Beautiful skater. After we both go to NHL, we start interacting more. And then one night [shrugs] we … kiss. And everything changes.

REPORTER 12: That was seven years ago?

ILYA: Seven years, nine months, twelve days. [grins] But who is counting?

REPORTER 13: You remember the exact date?

ILYA: Of course. Was best day of my life. [pauses] Well, until today. Today is new best day.

REPORTER 14: Because you came out?

ILYA: Because I get to kiss him in front of whole world. No more hiding. No more pretending. [looks directly at camera] Shane, if you are watching—I love you. You are stuck with me now. Whole world knows.

REPORTER 15: Ilya, there are going to be fans who have a problem with this-

ILYA: [waves hand dismissively] There are always people who have problems. They have problem with me being Russian. Problem with Shane being half-Japanese. Problem with us being gay. These people will always find something to hate. But there are more people who will celebrate. Who will see us and feel less alone. That is more important.

REPORTER 16: Do you have a message for young LGBTQ hockey players?

ILYA: [leans toward camera again, serious] You belong here. In hockey. In sports. Everywhere. You are not wrong. You are not broken. You are exactly who you are supposed to be. And if anyone tells you different … [smirks] work hard, get very good at hockey, and then kiss your boyfriend on national television to prove them wrong.

The locker room bursts into laughter and applause. Even the reporters are grinning.

REPORTER 17: One more question — what happens now with you and Shane? Long-term?

ILYA: [shrugs] We keep playing hockey. We keep being rivals on ice. We keep being in love off ice. Maybe one day we get married, have house together, get dog. Normal things. But first … [grins mischievously] first I need to score hat trick next time we play Montreal. Need to show Shane I am better center.

MARLOW: [shouting] You just came out and you’re STILL chirping!

ILYA: [shouting back] Is how I show love!

REPORTER 18: Shane said something similar about the competition-

ILYA: Because we are same. We understand each other. Is why it works. [softens again] He is my rival and my love. My best opponent and my best friend. My everything.

REPORTER 19: That’s … surprisingly romantic.

ILYA: I am Russian. We are very romantic people. [winks] Also very good in bed-

HAMMERSMITH: ILYA!

ILYA: [laughing] -very good at bedtime stories! I tell Shane bedtime stories!

CARMICHAEL: Nice save, bro!

ILYA: [to reporters] Okay, enough questions. I need to find Shane. Need to kiss him again. For press photos, obviously.

REPORTER 20: The game still needs to finish-

ILYA: [standing up] Game is suspended, no? So I go find my boyfriend. You can all watch, I don’t care. Whole world just watched us kiss already. What is difference?

He walks toward the door. The reporters follow like he’s the Pied Piper.

[9:08 PM]

Ilya exits the Bears locker room to find Shane already in the hallway, clearly having had the same idea. They stop, staring at each other from opposite ends of the corridor.

The reporters and cameras crowd around them, but for a moment, it’s like no one else exists.

Shane’s face breaks into the brightest smile Ilya’s ever seen. Ilya grins back, practically running down the hallway.

They meet in the middle. Shane grabs Ilya’s face with both hands and kisses him again— slower this time, sweeter, less urgent than on the ice but no less intense.

When they part, foreheads pressed together, Ilya whispers, “We did it.”

“We did it,” Shane agrees.

“Internet is exploding.”

“I know.”

“Your mama is very happy.”

“She texted me seventeen times.”

“Sveta too. She says congratulations and also I am idiot for waiting so long.”

Shane laughs, pulling back to look at him properly. “You’re definitely an idiot.”

“But I am YOUR idiot,” Ilya says, and Shane kisses him again, shorter this time, mindful of all the cameras.

“So what now?” Shane asks.

“Now,” Ilya says, slinging an arm around Shane’s shoulders and turning to face the cameras with that cocky grin, “now we finish game. I score goal. We win. You cry.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Shane.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you too.”

The cameras catch all of it. Every word, every smile, every gentle touch.

And for the first time in seven years, Shane doesn’t care who’s watching.

TSN @TSN_Sports • 30s ago

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov just met in the hallway between locker rooms and kissed again.

This is the most romantic thing to ever happen in hockey.

[Video clip]

178.9K Retweets 823.4K Likes

Yuna Hollander @yunahollander • 20s ago

To answer everyone asking: Yes, I knew. Yes, I’ve been covering for them. Yes, Ilya is family.

And yes, I’m incredibly proud of both my boys for their courage tonight. 💕🏳️‍🌈

[Photo of her and David holding Pride flags in their living room]

145.2K Retweets 678.9K Likes

NHL @NHL • 15s ago

The game will resume in 15 minutes.

But first, a statement: The NHL is proud to support Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Hockey is for everyone. 🏒🏳️‍🌈

234.7K Retweets 1.1M Likes

Bar Down @BarDown • 10s ago

Rozanov just told reporters he’s going to score a hat trick “to show Shane he’s the better center”

THEY CAME OUT TWENTY MINUTES AGO AND HE’S ALREADY CHIRPING

ICONIC BEHAVIOR

98.9K Retweets 403.6K Likes

Mom 💕: I’m so proud of you, sweetheart

Mom 💕: So, so proud

Mom 💕: You were so brave tonight

Shane: Thanks Mom

Shane: Sorry we didn’t tell you the plan

Mom 💕: Are you kidding?

Mom 💕: That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed

Mom 💕: Your father and I were crying

Shane: Please don’t tell me Dad is crying

Mom 💕: [Photo of David with tears streaming down his face, giving a thumbs up]

Shane: Oh god

Mom 💕: He’s very emotional about his son-in-law

Shane: MOM we’re not even engaged

Mom 💕: Yet 😊

Mom 💕: Give it time

Mom 💕: Now go finish your game

Mom 💕: We’re watching

Mom 💕: We love you both so much 💕💕💕

TSN Broadcast - Game Resumption

[9:23 PM]

CHRIS: And we’re back. The game will resume with 9:34 remaining in the second period. Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are both being assessed … actually, I don’t think the refs know WHAT to assess them.

RAY: Unsportsmanlike conduct seems inappropriate given the circumstances.

CHRIS: Agreed. I’m being told they’re each getting a minor penalty for leaving their benches, which is just … [laughs] I mean, technically correct.

RAY: The crowd is going WILD. Listen to this place. [crowd roaring]

CHRIS: Both players are coming out now — Hollander from the Voyageurs bench, Rozanov from the Bears — and the fans are on their feet.

RAY: This is beautiful, Chris. This is genuinely beautiful.

CHRIS: Hollander and Rozanov skate to center ice for the faceoff—they’re both grinning—Rozanov just said something-

RAY: Probably chirping him.

CHRIS: Hollander laughs and shoves him lightly-

RAY: And we’re dropping the puck. Game on.

[9:46 PM - 2:18 remaining in 2nd period]

CHRIS: Rozanov with the puck, cutting through the neutral zone—drops it back to Marlow—now back to Rozanov—HE SHOOTS-

RAY: SCORES! ILYA ROZANOV!

CHRIS: [laughing] OF COURSE he scores! Of course!

RAY: He said he was going to! He told reporters he’d score a hat trick!

CHRIS: And Rozanov is skating right to the Voyageurs bench—oh my god, he’s blowing a kiss to Hollander-

RAY: [cracking up] This man is UNBELIEVABLE!

CHRIS: Hollander is shaking his head but he’s smiling—I can see him mouthing “I hate you”-

RAY: No you don’t, Shane. No you don’t.

[10:24 PM - End of Third Period - Boston 4, Montreal 2]

CHRIS: And that’s it! The Boston Bears win 4-2, Ilya Rozanov with two goals including the game-winner-

RAY: He’s a man of his word, Chris.

CHRIS: The handshake line is going to be fascinating to watch-

RAY: Here they come—Hollander and Rozanov are at opposite ends—working their way toward each other-

CHRIS: Every handshake looks normal, professional … and now they’re meeting in the middle-

RAY: Hollander’s saying something-

CHRIS: Rozanov is LAUGHING and—OH! He just grabbed Hollander’s face and kissed him AGAIN!

RAY: [dying laughing] In the HANDSHAKE LINE! During the HANDSHAKE LINE!

CHRIS: The rest of both teams are just skating around them—some guys are cheering—this is absolute chaos-

RAY: Cliff Marlow just fist-pumped. Hayden Pile is recording this on his phone.

CHRIS: Rozanov finally lets go—Hollander looks completely exasperated but he’s smiling—and Rozanov just skated away blowing MORE kisses-

RAY: That man is going to milk this for EVERYTHING it’s worth.

CHRIS: Good for him, honestly. Good for both of them.

[10:47 PM]

Shane exits the Voyageurs locker room, showered and changed, to find Ilya leaning against the wall across the hallway, still in his suit from earlier, looking like he’s doing a photoshoot for GQ instead of waiting outside a hockey locker room.

“You’re insufferable,” Shane says, but he’s grinning.

“You love it,” Ilya replies, pushing off the wall and stalking toward him with that predatory grace that still makes Shane’s stomach flip after seven years.

“You scored twice.”

“Da. Was very good goals.”

“And you kissed me in the handshake line.”

“Also very good kiss.” Ilya reaches him, sliding his hands around Shane’s waist, pulling him close despite the reporters still milling around. “You are welcome.”

“I’m welcome?” Shane laughs. “For what?”

“For me being so brave and romantic.” Ilya’s eyes are dancing with mischief. “I kiss you on ice. I kiss you in hallway. I kiss you in handshake line. I tell whole world I love you. Is very romantic.”

“It’s very extra,” Shane corrects, but his hands come up to rest on Ilya’s chest. “Very, very extra.”

“You like extra.” Ilya leans in, mouth brushing Shane’s ear. “You like when I show off for you. When I score goals and dedicate them to you in my head. When I chirp other players about how my boyfriend is prettiest boy in NHL.”

Shane shivers. “You did not say that to other players.”

“Maybe I did. Maybe I tell Hunter next week that you have better ass than anyone in league.”

“ILYA.”

“What? Is true!” Ilya pulls back, grinning unrepentantly. “You have very good ass. I am expert on this subject.”

“Oh my god, there are CAMERAS-”

“Let them film.” Ilya’s hands slide lower, resting just above said ass. “Whole world knows now. I can finally touch you in public. Can finally look at you the way I want to look at you.”

And he does — looks at Shane like he’s everything, like he hung the moon and stars, like seven years of hiding hasn’t dimmed his desire one bit. It’s intense and overwhelming and makes Shane feel like the most important person in the world.

“Your hotel or the condo?” Shane murmurs.

“Mine,” Ilya says immediately. “Is closer. And I have very nice king bed with sheets to ruin. And champagne. And plans.”

“Plans?”

“Many plans.” Ilya’s voice drops lower, rough with promise. “Plans that involve celebrating properly. Plans that involve getting you out of these clothes. Plans that involve making you scream my name so loud that whole hotel knows exactly who you belong to.”

Shane’s breath catches. “Ilya-”

“What? You are shy now? After kissing me in front of twenty-two thousand people?”

“I’m not shy, I’m just-” Shane glances at the cameras. “Can we continue this somewhere private?”

“Da, okay.” But Ilya doesn’t move, just keeps looking at Shane like he’s a five-course meal. “But first, let me look at you. Really look at you. Without hiding.”

And he does. His gaze travels over Shane’s face — the sharp line of his jaw, the slight flush on his cheeks, the way his hair falls over his forehead. His thumbs trace idle patterns on Shane’s hips through his shirt.

“Beautiful,” Ilya murmurs in Russian. “So fucking beautiful. And mine. Finally, everyone knows you are mine.”

“I’ve always been yours,” Shane says softly.

“Da. But now I can prove it.” Ilya grins, sharp and possessive. “Now I can post pictures. Can hold your hand at restaurants. Can kiss you whenever I want. Can tell teammates all the filthy things I do to you-”

“You’re NOT doing that-”

“Maybe just Marly. He asks many questions.”

“ILYA.”

“Okay, okay.” Ilya laughs, finally stepping back but keeping hold of Shane’s hand. “Come. We go to hotel. We celebrate properly. And then tomorrow, we do interviews together, we hold hands for cameras, we show world that Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are not just rivals. Are partners. Are everything.”

They start walking, hands linked, and Shane realizes that every camera in the hallway is following them. Every phone is up, recording. The NHL’s official photographer is literally sprinting to keep up.

He doesn’t care.

“You know,” Shane says as they push through the arena doors into the Montreal night, “my mom is going to be unbearable about this.”

“Your mama already texts me,” Ilya says, pulling out his phone. “She says congratulations and also when is wedding.”

“We’re not-”

“She sends Pinterest board of wedding ideas.”

“Oh my GOD.”

“Is nice board! Very tasteful. I like the one with-”

“Ilya, we came out TWO HOURS AGO.”

“So? I am Russian. We move fast.” Ilya stops on the sidewalk, tugging Shane around to face him. Behind them, cameras flash like crazy, but Ilya only has eyes for Shane. “I know you seven years. I love you seven years. Is long enough, no?”

Shane’s heart does that thing where it feels three sizes too big for his chest. “Are you—are you asking-”

“Not yet. Not here.” Ilya grins. “When I ask properly, will be very romantic. Will be perfect. Will make you cry.”

“I don’t cry-”

Ilya kisses him, effectively shutting him up. It’s slower than the ice kiss, deeper than the hallway kiss, more intentional. It’s a kiss that says mine and yours and ours and forever.

When they part, both breathing hard, Ilya rests his forehead against Shane’s.

“I love you,” he says in Russian, then English, then back to Russian. “My Shane. My rival. My love. My everything.”

“I love you too,” Shane replies, also in Russian, the language Ilya taught him in secret over years of stolen moments. “Even though you’re impossible.”

“Especially because I am impossible.” Ilya pulls back with that insufferable smirk. “Now come. Hotel. Bed. Champagne. And then I show you exactly how much I miss you since last week.”

“It’s been three days.”

“Three days too long.”

They get into the waiting Uber, and as soon as the door closes, Ilya is on him. Kissing him breathless, hands tangling in his hair, making these soft Russian sounds that drive Shane absolutely crazy.

“Ilya,” Shane gasps between kisses. “We’re in a car-”

“So?” Ilya’s mouth moves to Shane’s neck, finding that spot that makes Shane’s brain short-circuit. “Windows are tinted. Driver cannot see. And I do not care if he does.”

“You’re insatiable.”

“Only for you.” Ilya bites down gently on Shane’s collarbone, soothing it with his tongue. “Seven years of sneaking around. Seven years of pretending I do not want to touch you every moment. Tonight, I touch whenever I want.”

And he does. Hands sliding under Shane’s shirt, fingers tracing the lines of muscle earned through endless training. His mouth maps a path along Shane’s jaw, down his throat, across his shoulder. Each touch is claiming, possessive, reverent all at once.

By the time they reach the hotel, Shane is completely wrecked. His shirt is untucked, hair a mess, lips swollen. Ilya looks similarly debauched but infinitely smug about it.

They make it through the lobby somehow — Ilya’s hand never leaving Shane’s back, proprietary and obvious. A few people stare. Some pull out phones. Ilya just smirks and keeps walking.

In the elevator, he crowds Shane against the wall.

“Everyone is going to see those marks on your neck tomorrow,” Shane points out.

“Good,” Ilya growls. “Want them to see. Want everyone to know exactly what we do tonight.”

The elevator dings. Penthouse floor — because of course Ilya got the penthouse.

They barely make it inside the suite before Ilya is pushing Shane up against the door, kissing him with seven years of pent-up public restraint finally unleashed. His hands are everywhere — pulling at Shane’s shirt, working his belt, sliding into his hair.

“Wait-” Shane gasps. “Wait, the champagne-”

“Fuck champagne,” Ilya says, but he pulls back, eyes dark with want. “Okay. One glass. To celebrate. Then I have you.”

He pours two glasses with unsteady hands, passes one to Shane. They stand in the middle of this ridiculously luxurious suite, both disheveled and breathing hard, and just look at each other.

“To us,” Ilya says, raising his glass. “To no more hiding. To being free.”

“To being free,” Shane echoes.

They drink. The champagne is expensive and perfect and completely wasted because neither of them tastes it. They’re too busy staring at each other with this mix of disbelief and joy and hunger.

Shane sets down his glass. Ilya does the same.

“So,” Shane says. “Those plans you mentioned-”

He doesn’t get to finish. Ilya is on him again, walking him backward toward the bedroom, kissing him between words.

“First,” Ilya says against Shane’s mouth, “I get you naked.”

“Sounds good.”

“Then I remind you exactly who you belong to.”

“I’m already aware-”

“Then I make you forget your own name.” Ilya’s hands slide under Shane’s shirt, pulling it over his head. “Make you forget everything except me. Except us. Except this.”

They tumble onto the bed, all hands and mouths and seven years of love finally, finally allowed into the light. Ilya maps every inch of Shane’s skin like he’s memorizing it, like he hasn’t already memorized it a thousand times before in the dark.

“Mine,” Ilya murmurs against Shane’s hip bone. “Finally can say it out loud. Mine.”

“Yours,” Shane agrees breathlessly. “Always yours.”

And later, when they’re tangled together in expensive sheets, both thoroughly satisfied and utterly exhausted, Shane’s phone won’t stop buzzing.

“Your mama?” Ilya asks sleepily.

Shane checks. “Rose. She’s sent forty-seven messages. They’re all in caps lock.”

“Is good friend.”

“She’s losing her mind.”

“Everyone is losing their mind.” Ilya presses a kiss to Shane’s shoulder. “Internet probably explodes.”

“Definitely exploded.” Shane scrolls through his notifications. “We’re trending in seventeen countries.”

“Only seventeen? I am disappointed.”

“You’re impossible.”

“You say this many times tonight. Still you are here in my bed.”

“Where else would I be?”

Ilya rolls over, bracketing Shane with his arms, looking down at him with an expression so tender it makes Shane’s chest ache.

“Nowhere else,” Ilya says seriously. “You belong here. With me. Always.”

“Always,” Shane agrees.

They kiss again, soft and slow and perfect. Outside, the world is probably still reeling. Social media is probably still exploding. The NHL is probably in emergency meetings. Their teams are probably fielding a thousand questions.

But inside this room, it’s just them. Just Shane and Ilya. Just two hockey players who fell in love and decided that love was more important than fear.

“Tomorrow is going to be crazy,” Shane murmurs.

“Da. Will be very crazy.” Ilya grins against Shane’s mouth. “But tonight? Tonight we celebrate. And then tomorrow, we wake up and do it all again. Together. No more hiding. No more pretending.”

“No more letting people think you’re sleeping with my mom?”

“Well,” Ilya says thoughtfully. “Was very funny. Maybe we let them think other crazy things?”

“Ilya, NO-”

“Maybe next I spend time with your papa? Let them think I am trying to seduce whole family?”

“I’m breaking up with you.”

“No you are not.” Ilya kisses him again. “You love me too much. You are stuck with me forever now.”

And Shane, despite everything — despite the chaos, despite the insanity, despite Ilya being the most extra human being on the planet — can’t help but smile.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “I really am.”

“Good,” Ilya says, pulling him closer. “Because I am not letting you go. Not now. Not ever. Whole world knows you are mine now. Is official.”

Outside, Montreal glitters through the penthouse windows. Somewhere, their phones keep buzzing with messages and mentions and breaking news alerts. The hockey world is forever changed.

But in this moment, wrapped in each other, they’re just two people in love. Finally free. Finally found.

Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanovofficial • 8:09 AM

Good morning to my boyfriend @shanehollanderhockeyplayer and my boyfriend only

Also good morning to his mama who is best mama 💕

[Photo of Shane sleeping, hair messy, peaceful smile, clearly taken this morning]

407.3K Retweets 1.8M Likes

Shane Hollander @shanehollanderhockeyplayer • 8:25 AM

Replying to @ilyarozanovofficial

Did you just post me SLEEPING???

Delete this

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Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanovofficial • 8:26 AM

Replying to @shanehollanderhockeyplayer

No ❤️

You are beautiful when you sleep

World should see

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Shane Hollander @shanehollanderhockeyplayer • 8:28 AM

Replying to @ilyarozanovofficial

I hate you so much

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Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanovofficial • 8:29 AM

Replying to @shanehollanderhockeyplayer

No you don’t 😏

You love me

I have hickeys to prove it

512.8K Retweets 2.1M Likes