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John @johnelm98
Go Montreal! 🏒
Let’s beat Ottawa!
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↪️Jackson @houstonjazzz
youre too optimistic lol
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↪️John @johnelm98
wdym ???
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↪️Jackson @houstonjazzz
wait & see 😉
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↪️Kyle @kylemetrosbiggestfan
ignore him
guy is a rozanov die hard fan 🙄
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June @julygussept_77
Go Centaurs! 🖤❤️
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↪️ MJ @poemmj_granger
it’ll be hard but I trust my 🌟 hockey team!
Go go go centaurs!
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For the past four years, Yuna had been doing what she always knew how to do best: she had been preparing for the moment when Shane felt ready to face the media about his romantic relationship with his famous, until then rival, Ilya Rozanov.
Everything was going according to plan — Ilya settled nicely in Ottawa, Shane visited them more often, and she and David got to know the person, the man their son loves.
And it's fair to say that both Yuna and David Hollander also gradually discovered not only a soft spot, but that they also came to love Ilya almost as much as Shane did.
Finally, the gears started to turn smoothly, a well-oiled machine.
Having Ilya around in Ottawa was something she and her husband didn't know how to navigate at first, but little by little that boy — because Ilya was just as kind-hearted and good-hearted as Shane, he only protected his heart under a facade of sarcasm and coldness out of necessity, and how painful it was to know that) — opened up to them, let them see exactly why Shane had fallen in love with him, and in the end simply charmed them.
Seeing Shane and Ilya together healed something in Yuna's heart that she had long denied even hurt, not ready to acknowledge her failure as a mother — the fear that Shane would never allow himself to find someone who would make him happy, that her beloved son would never truly feel like he belonged, that he would never find happiness.
Because Shane had always loved hockey, yes, that had always been his hyper-fixation since he was very young. But Shane also wouldn't let anything else in.
And people didn't understand him. No matter how hard he tried, and God! how Yuna saw him try and get frustrated every time, people never fully understood him.
Which led Shane to learn to hide, to control himself, to pretend, to wear a mask because being left out, being pointed out as weird, hurt. Not that masking didn't hurt, of course it did, but that was something Shane resigned himself to having to do from an early age in an attempt to fit in.
But he never fit in perfectly, even within the very sport he loved and that so many others were so passionate about and well-versed in.
Shane stood out.
Until they learned about Ilya Rozanov.
And they saw Shane light up, his eyes shining, the playful smile so wide on his face that at first brought relieved tears to David's eyes, chirping back at Ilya's playful teasing, rolling his eyes but laughing and looking fondly at the Russian, so, so, so comfortable in his own skin. Just being who he was.
Shane didn't stand out when he was with Ilya.
Because he felt at ease, he felt like he belonged, by his side.
And Yuna could see that so clearly that she swore to herself that she would protect them with everything she had.
To protect a love so beautiful, so pure, so built over years and years, that survived all the painful attempts they had to stifle it out of fear.
A love that was only theirs.
That's why, when the FanMail incident happened about a month ago, she already had a statement prepared with Farah for her two boys in case something similar happened — but of course, the forced outing left a bitter taste in Yuna's mouth.
Her boys should have had the right to open up about it in their own time.
And it was awful to see them robbed of that opportunity to do it on their own terms.
But even worse, what left even David furious and wanting to fight in public was the reaction of the team to which his son had dedicated so much of himself. A team that, bitterly, Yuna came to realize in the last two years, only made Shane unhappy day after day since he came out to them — something that was only mitigated, swept under the rug as a sordid and unbecoming detail, when Shane gave more and more of himself and won them another Stanley Cup.
Only with that did the Montreal Metros go back to pretending that it was okay for Shane to be gay — that is, of course, as long as he didn't publicly demonstrate his unsavory preferences.
Unfortunately, she couldn't protect her boys from a jerk who thought he was entitled to take away their right to publicly reveal their relationship.
But Yuna would rather be damned than let a bunch of disgusting homophobes — whether they were the Montreal Metros themselves or the fucking NHL — harm her sons any further.
So she sat down, talked to David, and put her cards on the table. Eyes blazing, voice firm, but her hands trembling. "I'm not going to let it go. I refuse, David."
And her husband, her kind and calm husband, just nodded, once, twice. His tone of voice was gentle, but his hands were firm when they met Yuna's in the middle of the table.
"Okay. Then we'll do it together." He agreed, but added thoughtfully. "But only when Shane is ready. Whether it's at the end of the season or not."
Yuna nodded back, swallowing all the hurt and anger she felt.
Anger at the homophobia, against the league's prejudiced attitudes, against the disgusting behavior of the Montreal team, which only knew how to take, take, and take from Shane.
Anger at herself, for not having done more.
For not having done enough.
But that was going to change.
Although they didn't go to Montreal to watch the game in person because Shane was too tense and worried about possible retaliation from fans if they saw their parents in the stands — especially after Yuna and David went to one of Ilya's home games and it became a topic on social media gossip pages — Yuna prepares to watch Game 7 between the Ottawa Centaurs and the Montreal Metros like a woman preparing for war.
She wishes she could say she believes that regardless of the outcome, Shane wouldn't suffer anymore.
But call it maternal instinct, or a hunch, a divine sign, a bad feeling in the back of her throat.
Call it paranoia, if you will, but she knows.
She knows, knows, knows.
Shane is good at reading hockey, every movement and breath of his players, and the slightest hints in the way they hold their sticks before a play. He can predict exactly what's going to happen, seconds before everyone else — and that's what her son is absolutely exceptional at doing.
And Yuna? She can read people.
She knows exactly what to say to close a sponsorship deal, what words and what tone to use so that her son gets the best possible deal, even better than what was previously stipulated. A decade ago, she was involved in every step of Shane's contract with Montreal; so Yuna knows every clause without needing to consult it, with her eyes closed, of every loophole the Metros team failed to see despite their excellent lawyers, every detail that anyone else might have missed.
She knows everything.
(Well, maybe with the exception of Shane when he hid a relationship — albeit casual — lovers, she recalls with a mixture of shivers and incredulous laughter — with Ilya Rozanov from everyone for about nine years).
And although she was once a big fan of the Montreal Metros, Yuna can say that all the affection and respect she felt for said hockey team crumbled and shattered like her son's heart when his secret was revealed against his will.
When the game starts, Yuna swallows hard and takes a deep breath. David's hand finds hers as he sits down next to her on the sofa.
With profound horror, although not surprisingly, she watches her son being publicly treated by his own teammates with what must be the worst sportsmanship in the history of hockey.
And she wholeheartedly begs the universe to help Shane forgive her.
Finn @91finnsanders
is it just me or—
is everyone on the metros team ignoring hollander?
#ShaneHollander #wtfmontrealmetros
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↪️HockeyFan @ywilsonhockeyfan007
fuck
you’re not wrong dude
Wtf
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Montreal #1fan @montrealnumberonehockeyfan073197
that fucking pass from hollander should been inside the net
if comeau bothered to play instead of checking
the centaurs against the fucking boards
#wtfmontrealmetros
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Lindsay @girlcentaursfanlindsay
damn.
hollander is on tonight 😳🔥
roz bagged THE greatest player in the league
#Hollanov
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↪️ Ginny @virginia_porterottawa
gurl, fr😮
he’s not stopping for nothing except getting the puck inside the net 🥅
that’s so hot 🔥🔥🔥
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↪️Jessica @crazyjscksweirdo
lsdies wtf are the metros shoving their own captain ?!
and why is the coach benching Hollander for it??????????????
#ShaneHollander
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METROS FAN @diehardmontrealmetrosbestteam
what.the.HELL
stop wasting time with body checks metros!
get the fucking puck inside the net already
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Justin @ifuckinghatespiders99
no srly this is fucking insane
wtf is hollzy benched for??? he seems the only 1 intersted in winning 2night
#ShaneHollander
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↪️JBryan @jelly_o0o_bryan
they are totally icing out hollander there, that’s what’s fucking happening
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↪️Gary @garyloveshockey03
why though???? guy’s playing harder than anyone tonite
#ottawavsmontreal
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↪️Link @linikerholter
because they’re fucking homophobes Gary
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↪️MM @mark_jnkssmontreal
dude shut up
don’t make hockey about this sh*t
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↪️Link @linikerholter
about what mark? the f*cking truth you bigoted a-hole? 🙄
it’s the only f*cking reason for this shitty behavior from the metros
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↪️Justin @ifuckinghatespiders99
fck
youre right
ever since hollander was outed MTRL has been playing like sh!t
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↪️Jake S. @jakes4nd3rs81
not hollander though
the guy is playing like a f*cking beast
damn.
#ShaneHollander
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Scottie @scottnothunteriwishthough
goddamn
for each goal the centaurs score hollander scores one right after
hes carrying montreals game ALONE
#ShaneHollander
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↪️MM @mark-jnkssmontreal
no he isnt🙄🙄🙄
everyone is playing
hollander is just a show off.
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↪️METROS FAN @diehardmontrealmetrosbestteam
Are we even watching the same f*cking game Mark? stfu
he scored three fucking goals WITHOUT ANY ASSIST
#ShaneHollander
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↪️Link @linikerholter
don’t bother w/ him
this guy’s a freaking homophobe &
has been spewing BS about hollander ever since he was outed
#homophobiainhockeyneedstoSTOP
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Robert @rw_nelson90
im not even rooting 4 the Metros anymr
as a fan since i was a little kid im disappointed & ashamed
Hollander is a great hockey player
& what they're doing to him 2night is outrageous
#homophobiainhockeyneedstoSTOP
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↪️METROS FAN @diehardmontrealmetrosbestteam
same here.
i’m changing my username
#fuckthemetros
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METROS FAN @diehardmontrealmetrosbestteam CHANGED USERNAME TO Montreal Metros SUCK @hockeyfanmichaeljenkins
Montreal Metros SUCK @hockeyfanmichaeljenkins
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Link @linikerholter
you’re right
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Scottie @scottnothunteriwishthough
Lets fckin go
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Jake S. @jakes4nd3rs81
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Justin @ifuckinghatespiders99
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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Montreal #1fan @montrealnumberonehockeyfan073197 CHANGED USERNAME TO C.D @cameronhockeyfan073197
↪️C.D @cameronhockeyfan073197
me too.
never thought i’d say this but
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Gary @garyloveshockey03
this is the most embarrassing game in the Montreal Metros history
and it is NOT because of Hollander.
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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Kyle @kylemetrosbiggestfan
fuuuuuuuuuuuuu*k we’re in OT
u can see in hollanders face how EXHAUSTED he is
but he’s still playing and not giving up
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
#ShaneHollander
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Kyle @kylemetrosbiggestfan CHANGED USERNAME TO Kyle @evansk_hockeyfan
↪️Jay @thompson81boston
yeah, that happens when u’re f*cking playing against an entire team on your own.
i’ve never seem such an ungrateful team before
is that how you treat the guy who gave you 3 cups?
#ShaneHollander #TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Kyle @evansk_hockeyfan
fck. i have to agree with a raiders fan, WTF
jfc!
AND rozanov doesnt even play 4 ur team anymore!!!
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
#IlyaRozanov
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↪️Fletcher @lee81rozanovfan
rozanov doesn't play for us anymore but we respect him
Montreal owed Shane Hollander the same
but they're a bunch of ungrateful scumbags.
so...
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
#IlyaRozanov #ShaneHollander
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It's after the second intermission of the game, when Shane returns, that she's sure of what she has to do. Without saying a single word, but equally tense and with a piercing look in his usually gentle eyes, David hands her the tablet.
It's the end of his journey with the Montreal Metros — and even though until then Shane was still trying to convince himself that he had a place with the team he brought from ruin to glory, she recognizes it in his gaze when the camera focuses on him on the bench.
The disappointment in his eyes. The resignation in his shoulders.
Let it never be said that Shane Hollander gave up, because for almost three hours he held the game, fought hard against the Centaurs, scored three goals and assisted on another — which could easily have been five more. Not to mention all the times Shane was available and free to score and, even so, his teammates didn't assist him.
Shane never gave up on Montreal, not for a single second.
But even he reached his limit.
Physical and mental.
And Yuna has reached hers as well.
By the end of the game, she had already rewritten the statement to be posted on Shane's social media three times while her eyes burned with tears and her husband stroked her shoulders in support.
David does something he's never done before: he checks social media and keeps Yuna informed about how the fans are reacting to what's happening in the game.
And while this may not ultimately be a solution, it helps to know that at least half of the Montreal Metros’ fanbase has been showing as much anger and indignation on social media as the Hollanders feel.
Because when the game goes into overtime after Shane assists Hayden, who scores a perfect goal against all odds, with everyone believing the game was already won for the Centaurs, Yuna feels a lump in her throat as she stops frantically typing to watch.
And Shane is so, so visibly exhausted that it's no surprise to her when, despite all his effort, determination, and pride, he can't keep up with Ilya on the ice — not when Ilya had an entire team to play with him for nearly three hours, while Shane only had Hayden in his corner.
Shane stumbles.
Ilya scores the winning goal.
Beside him, David celebrates as Ilya is cheered by the Ottawa crowd and his teammates jump on him to celebrate.
"He deserves it.” He says, voice thick with emotion. “Ilya deserves it so much. The Centaurs are a good team."
And Yuna agrees, she has no doubt about it.
Her heart aches for Shane, but she's also happy for Ilya.
They are her sons.
"Yeah, he deserves a ray of sunshine after everything he's been through." She agrees, sighing and letting her motherly smile widen despite the stinging behind her eyes, "Hell, he deserves the whole sun!" Yuna adds with an emotional chuckle.
Learning more about Ilya's personal life over the years, about his mother and the troubled relationship with his father and older brother, only cemented Ilya's place in the Hollanders' hearts.
Ilya's battle with depression in recent months, the scare of the Centaurs' plane crash, also only made them want to take even better care of the boy who, although not theirs by blood, was theirs in every way that mattered.
"Both our boys deserve it." David adds, smiling at her, but a little melancholic.
The lump in Yuna's throat tightens, and her eyes well up with tears.
"Yeah… They do." With a deep breath, she clears her throat and the corners of her eyes with the back of her hands. Sniffing, Yuna turns to the tablet. "And that's why I'll do everything to protect them."
Even if Shane hates me for it.
ESPN ✅ @espn
Ottawa Centaurs defeat Montreal Metros 5-4 in overtime of Game 7
and advance to the second round of the playoffs.
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↪️C.D @cameronhockeyfan073197
f*ck
i knew what the results would be
why am i still disappointed
not at #ShaneHollander though
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↪️Scottie @scottnothunteriwishthough
bc we all thought the metros were better than this
it was a shameful game with how they treated hollander
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Jake S. @jakes4nd3rs81
lets see what the metros will have to say for themselves in the inverviews
freaking homophobes
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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Justin @ifuckinghatespiders99
guys.
wtf is going on rn
why is hollander the 1 talkin to press as if it was his fault
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↪️Jay @thompson81boston
theyre f!cking try to blame him thats whats happening
f!!!!!ck
thats low man
#ShaneHollander
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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Kyle @evansk_hockeyfan
WTF
did they really ask SHANE HOLLANDER that ?!
what a load of BS @MontrealHockeyNewsChannel
his relationship w/ rozanov had nothing to do with the results of the game
what the HECK
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Rose Landry✅@officialroselandry
This is disgusting & libel, @MontrealHockeyNewsChannel.
Shane loves hockey, he's an exceptional player & an honest person.
It's shameful that you chose to accuse him in this way
instead of addressing the glaring problem within the Montreal Metros team.
All my love to Shane.
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↪️Jules @jkellers06_03
what is this about?
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↪️Evie @sunshineray_evans
Rose dated @shane_hollander24 back in 2017
recently he was outed as gay & in a long-term relationship with @rozanov_81
they’re both famous hockey player & rivals for 10+ years
it was a shock when the video was leaked.
1/2
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↪️Evie @sunshineray_evans
hollander & rozanov played against each other 2night & hollander’s team lost
the media is accusing him of tripping on purpose to let rozanov win
which is BS bc hollzy would never & roz doesnt need that.
2/2
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Centaurs Fan @81loganottawahockeyfan
… damn.
hell must have frozen over 👀👀
Hollander is genuinely pissed
(as he should be)
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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JENKINS @clay_jhockey98
holy sh!t
did hollander really just expose montreal’s
structural homophobia on live television ????
and his GLARE gives me chills!
#HollanderGlareOfDoom
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Matt @obssessedwithhockeymatt
GODDAMN!
his entire career ? ? ? ?
but i thought they'd been together for a few years ?!
#SinceBeforeTheirRookieSeason
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↪️JBryan @jelly_o0o_bryan
I've never seen Hollander so angry (and rightfully so) & cursing SO much
OFC a player of his caliber would be offended if accused of
throwing a game just bc of his relationship
that's stupid & homophobic as hell.
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Jackson @houstonjazzz
fck
as much as it pains me to admit this
Hollander rlly IS the player w/ record of both goals, assists & overall score
& this is just from the last 2 seasons
here the NHL Player’s Statistics: https://nhlreport.players.org/stats
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Hot Hockey News✅ @hhn_updatesofficial
Shane Hollander has announced he will not renew his contract with the Montreal Metros
following controversy at the end of Game 7 against the Ottawa Centaurs.
Read more on: https://breakinghockeynews.com/story/816924.
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↪️Will @william99_mmhockeyfan
hollander is not re-signing with the metros
we’re SO screwed next season
😩😩
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↪️MM @mark-jnkssmontreal
we dont need the f*ckin fairy to win
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↪️Link @linikerholter
you’re still here you bigoted A-hole?
gtfo you f*ckin homophobe
montreal got out of rock bottom bc Hollander put them back on the top
without him the metros are f!cked
#TheMontrealMetrosSUCK
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↪️Liz @singh_liz0903
I know theres some time b4 trade negotiations begin
but Hollander mentioned he’d like to play for a team that is inclusive
&the Centaurs are 1 of the most openly inclusive team
in the NHL besides the Admirals 👀
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↪️Matt @obssessedwithhockeymatt
i don't think so...
Ottawa is near at the limit of their cap after signing Rozanov,
so Hollander would have to accept a huge pay cut
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↪️Centaurs Fan @ross_centaursfan1805_hockey
def not happening 😢
he is THE BEST player in the league, he wont take such a massive pay cut
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↪️Liz @singh_liz0903
oh
💔😞
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Shane Hollander✅ @shane_hollander24
After years dedicating his life to the Montreal Metros with loyalty, ethics and commitment,
Shane will not re-sign with the team in light of the disappointing events.
He thanks the fans for their support and hopes that you understand his decision.
Love is love.
Yuna Hollander.
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When Yuna — even with her heart pounding in her chest and her eyes filled with tears burning with anger as David monitors fan reactions to the most shameful press conference in hockey history on Twitter — posted the carefully written and character limited statement just seconds after Shane confirmed on national television that he will be a free agent for the upcoming season and has no interest in re-signing with Montreal, social media further fueled discussions about homophobia in hockey, the Metros' ingratitude, and the shocking revelation about Shane's feelings for Ilya since they met.
As she takes a brief trip down memory lane to the day she and David unintentionally discovered their son's relationship with the Russian, Yuna perfectly remembers the conversation the four of them had.
“So you’ve been in love since…”
“No.”
“No, no.”
Back then Shane had denied vehemently, closing his eyes and probably wishing he were dead, as Ilya next to him chuckled with a bit of embarrassment, playing with the mug of tea in his hands.
She always suspected they weren't telling the whole story — which was actually great, because Yuna really didn't want to know if, when she bumped into Ilya in the elevator in Toronto during the CCM endorsement ad shooting, he was going up to Shane's room, even though she knew that was exactly what happened without anyone needing to confirm it.
No, no. Yuna preferred to spare herself the details about her son's sex life for her own sanity. David often joked that although Yuna always wanted to know everything, that was a line she wouldn't cross.
Her husband was right, though.
She rubs her eyes, so, so frustrated and exhausted, and prepares to text Shane when David gasps in surprise beside her, making Yuna almost jump on the couch.
"What is it now?" she asks anxiously.
But her husband only points again to the TV, which now shows in greater focus the Ottawa Centaurs' press conference and, specifically, Ilya being interviewed.
Apparently Yuna missed the generic first part of the interview, but that certainly wasn't why David called her attention.
No, obviously it's because the Centaurs' captain, visibly with tense shoulders and the restless posture that the Hollanders have learned to recognize as Ilya eager to get out of there, loses any semblance of the remaining patience he had when a reporter from some station Yuna would probably text and warn her lawyers about in the coming days, asks a question as absurd as the one the Montreal Hockey News Channel interviewer asked Shane.
If this interview had taken place at any of the other many moments of the turbulent last month, Yuna would have been tense and considered her son’s boyfriend’s — fiancé, in fact — impulsiveness, as well as the possible implications and greater exposure of their situation in both the media and hockey, to be rash and heavily ill-advised.
However, given the profound and utter disrespect of the venomous remarks and accusations made in the Montreal interview, Yuna can't help but feel satisfactorily vindicated by Ilya's furious reaction — visibly offended that his boyfriend's character and loyalty are being questioned, and he goes on to defend and praise Shane tooth and nail, exposing exactly what he thinks about the Metros' conduct.
Rozanov makes all the points that had been stuck in Yuna's throat while she furiously drafted the limited 277-character statement for Twitter.
At the same time, her heart breaks a little more when she sees how Ilya pales when Shane describes the treatment from the team to which he has dedicated almost a decade of his life since he came out and, especially, after his relationship was exposed.
Ilya's eyes become undeniably moist, and Yuna swallows hard at how much it hurts to see him to clearly suffer for not being there for Shane.
And even he chokes up when Shane's statement — that the league has never known a Shane who wasn't in love with Ilya — echoes in the visiting team's press conference room.
Ilya takes a deep breath, then proceeds to declare that the Metros are ungrateful and never deserved the league's best player, Shane Hollander.
It's simultaneously exhilarating enough to make even her husband let out a little "woohoo" beside her, and too emotional for David and she to hold back their tears.
It doesn't escape Yuna's notice that both Shane and Ilya declared loud and clear for the whole world to hear how much they love each other without needing to say "I love you" out loud.
Because everything, from their body language, the impossible-to-fake facial micro-expressions, the anger, the sorrow, the pain and the intensity in their tones of voice, made it clear how much they loved each other.
No one can deny it.
Nor call it a publicity stunt, as some ignorant people have been doing for the past month.
Not even the management of the Montreal Metros, who have so far refused to make an official statement acknowledging Shane's relationship as a mere dismissible two-line statement about dealing with unexpected news and compliance with league rules on inclusivity.
Or the homophobic fans daily burning their jackets with the name Hollander on the back in front of the Bell Centre even during practice days.
Not even Commissioner Crowell, who tried to force Shane and Ilya to deny their romantic fling and threatened to get them kicked out of the league. And when Shane had forwarded Yuna the record of their talk with Crowell, her eyes filled with tears as she heard her son say, without missing a breath or doubt in his voice,“I choose him.”
No, not when what shone in Shane and Ilya's eyes tonight was the resolute decision to love each other out loud and no longer hide.
(Some, perhaps most of them, would probably still do all of those things, with their prejudice and homophobia so deeply ingrained into their repugnant souls — but those people did not matter. They are scum.)
"I'm so fucking proud of them."
Yuna sniffles, her chest heaves as tears stream down her face as she says this.
David wraps his arms around her, also sniffling and laughing through tears at the heartfelt, uncharacteristic curse word that escaped her.
"Me too. They found a love that not everyone gets the chance to find, and nobody can take that away from them."
"Not at all," she agrees, wiping the corners of her eyes with the heels of her palms. "We'll take on the world for them."
Her husband wipes his face with his shirt sleeve and pulls out the tablet to show Yuna the flood of posts supporting Shane and Ilya.
"And we won't fight alone."
When Hayden calls them to inform them that he took Shane to his apartment and they are just waiting for Ilya to return from his own press conference, it's a mix of relief knowing her son is in a safe place, and guilt for not being there for him — the side of Yuna struggling with maternal guilt feels she should have insisted more on going with Shane during this game.
But Ilya is on his way to be with him, and she can trust him to be exactly what Shane needs in this vulnerable moment.
After all, Ilya is exactly who Shane needs.
Yuna says goodbye to Hayden, and returns to her mission of dealing with the evident loose ends with Montreal and the NHL — calling lawyers to immediately request a Cease and Desist order for libel so that the Metros’ management team doesn't use the events of this night to try to sabotage Shane's trade in July by colluding with the NHL and accusing him of interference.
If the Metros thinks that this cease and desist order also encompasses the accusations of homophobia, racism, and workplace discrimination, well, they are gravely mistaken — and with a vengeful smile, she will leave it to them to find out along with the rest of the world when this bomb explodes after the outcome of the Shane’s trade.
And although her son never dared to speak aloud about it, in the last two years she watched him gradually lose his love for Montreal, and begin to look back with longing for something he never had when he saw how Ilya's team embraced him when they were exposed.
Shane may not have said it in words, but his eyes expressed everything Yuna needed to know.
The managers of the Ottawa Centaurs should prepare for the trade negotiation and for 'The Momanager Terror, Yuna Hollander' in her natural habitat along with Shane’s equally Fearsome Agent, Farah — affectionately, of course.
Yuna is aware of her own reputation, some even consider her overly focused on contracts and advertising campaigns, but she always just wanted to ensure that Shane was paid what is fair.
And that's not going to change now, team change or not.
But in the end, what matters, and always has mattered, is Shane's personal opinion and decision. If he wants the Centaurs — as she fully believes he does — Yuna will move heaven and earth for him.
Always.
And if she can wreak havoc on the already declining Montreal Metros' reputation by anonymously spreading comments here and there to the right sources, all the while meticulously planning the downfall of the homophobic commissioner who threatened to kick her sons out of the league?
Well.
That's just a coincidence.
Right?
Plausibly deniability and all that.
Yuna tries not to cackle evilly like a Disney movie villain, but perhaps because of the way David snorts a laugh next to her and almost chokes on his tea, she doesn't succeed very well.
Sports Gossip✅ @CANSportsGossip
Hockey player Shane Hollander admits feelings for rival Ilya Rozanov
since before being drafted: “(...) no one had ever known a Shane Hollander,
professional hockey player, who wasn’t in love with Ilya Rozanov from the start.”
Read the interview clicking [here].
💬6.3K 🔃3K ❤️15.7K
Hockey Gossip Network✅ @NetworkGossipHockey
Centaurs’ captain, Ilya Rozanov, accuses the Montreal Metros team of homophobia
towards Shane Hollander: “It was him [Hollander] against Ottawa’s whole team alone all game,
because Montreal (...) are a bunch of homophobic pieces of ****.”
[Click here]
💬3.4K 🔃2K ❤️13.9K
Crave Hockey Updates✅@c_hockeyupdates
Two controversial interviews by players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have shocked
the sports world tonight, raising two questions: to what extent can teams
interfere in the personal lives of players? And when will homophobia in sports end?
[Full article]
💬8.1K 🔃7K ❤️26.2K
[FULL ARTICLE]: Interference in athletes' personal lives and homophobia in hockey: how Game 7 between Ottawa and Montreal exposes the disgusting side of the sport
By Jacob Tier
Senior Correspondent | Crave Hockey Updates
The hockey world was confronted with three shocking revelations a week ago, involving two of its most famous players — Ilya Rozanov, Captain of the Ottawa Centaurs, and the then-Captain Shane Hollander of the Montreal Metros.
Until then, nothing unusual had happened between the two teams — however, the atmosphere on the rink was tense, especially in the Montreal team's box, ever since the long-term romantic relationship between the two captains was exposed last month, and that night it became visible to everyone.
Their teams faced off at Bell Centre for the decisive Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but for those who weren't following social media at the time of the game, I'll give a brief summary of what was happening off the rink.
The first shock:
Fans across the league who were watching the concurrent games of Ottawa Centaurs vs. Montreal Metros and New York Admirals vs. Boston Raiders ended up focusing only on the game of the Canadian teams, because the tension on the ice spilled off the television and into everyone's homes.
Rozanov scored the first goal of the game after Hollander was intercepted by Centaurs’ left-winger Boodram, and, in the following face-off, the Metros' captain shot across the ice like a missile, scoring the tying goal in a matter of seconds.
Comments criticizing the Metros' performance during the first half were intense, with fans dissatisfied that players were more concerned with body-checking the Centaurs on the boards than scoring goals — a task that fell solely on Hollander's shoulders, who masterfully and with impeccable skills, kept the Metros neck and neck with the Centaurs without any assistance from his teammates, who deliberately ignored the captain throughout the night and left him with an open defense for the Ottawa team to intercept him when he had the puck near the net.
Not to mention several viral video clips and observations showing moments when the Metros were — allegedly — intentionally shoving their own captain throughout the game.
Fans also questioned why Hollander, and later Pike (who accidentally exposed his captain's relationship with a careless FanMail), were left on the bench after the camera focused on Hollander arguing with coach Theriault several times.
The Montreal Metros’ head coach controversial decision of leaving Hollander on the bench after the second intermission allowed the Centaurs to gain a two-goal lead over the Metros, a difference that Hollander managed to lessen with a sudden, skating unstoppable and determined, scoring a goal of his own in less than ten seconds after returning to the ice, in a statement of his exceptional skills.
Many minor fights marked the game 7, but the most talked about was certainly the one involving the two right-wingers Barret (OTW) and Comeau (MTR) after a series of homophobic comments from the Montreal right-winger that the opposing player heard and verbally confronted him — Comeau was the first to throw his gloves on the ice, however Barret (who came out as gay shortly before his captain's sexuality was exposed), did not let it go and retaliated mercilessly. Rozanov, who was nearby, was the first to break up the fight, and demonstrated immense level-headness and great skills as a captain given the decisive game by not getting involved in the fight.
Fans speculate that the comment was initially directed at Hollander, who was closer to Comeau and in field vision of the right-winger than Barret who was close, but not directly in the point of view. But the Metros captain's lack of reaction left fans confused: did Hollander not hear it despite clearly being within earshot, or has he simply grown used to hearing the same level of homophobia in the locker room over the past month?
The general perception on social media is that, unfortunately, the second option is the most likely — especially with the post-game press conference, but I'll get to that point shortly.
This leads tens of thousands of hockey fans — and sports fans in general, as the topic has expanded and grown on social media, especially Twitter and Reddit — to question the power of teams to interfere in the relationships of their athletes in general.
Of course, the romantic relationship between Hollander and Rozanov, considered arch-rivals in the hockey world and generational talents who took their teams from the brink of ruin back to the spotlight and the top of the NHL, broke the internet last month and raised many questions among Montreal and Boston fans, even though Rozanov hasn't been the Raiders' captain for three seasons.
Did the captains of the two teams ever let their relationship determine the outcome of a game?
Fans spent the month talking about it, while Hollander and Rozanov were suspended and heavily criticized behind the scenes.
However, it seems that neither the Russian's current team nor his former team seemed to raise as many questions about Rozanov's ethics and commitment to his teams.
The second shock of the night came during the Montreal Metros team press conference, which Hollander was, according to reliable sources, forced to attend after the team's loss in Overtime. Incidentally, until then, the Metros had been clearly keeping Hollander out of interviews after the scandal. What changed overnight? Well, apparently, the idea that Hollander had tripped on purpose to secure the victory for his boyfriend, Rozanov.
Hollander, as always, demonstrated great calm and politeness when speaking to all the journalists present — even though he seemed more apathetic and dejected than usual, which could even be linked to bitterness over the playoff elimination, if his interview hadn't taken a 180-degree turn in a matter of a couple of minutes.
Those watching the press conference clearly noticed Hollander's entire demeanor shifted when asked if he had let his relationship affect his loyalty to his team. If there is one emotion to describe what happened in Hollander's expression, it is betrayal.
No one had ever seen the hockey player dubbed Canada's Golden Boy so furious and scathing in an interview, mentioning tense moments with the Montreal Metros team since he revealed his sexuality to them — two years ago.
Next, Hollander made the second shocking revelation in response to the accusation of having lost on purpose: regarding the games he played against Rozanov, he stated that nothing had changed since his relationship was exposed, because neither the Montreal Metros, nor the NHL, nor all hockey fans had ever known a Hollander who wasn't in love with Rozanov.
And this revelation weighed heavily. Because until then everyone speculated about how long the two rival captains had been hiding this relationship, whether it really had been years, and not a quick romance that they were risking ruining their careers for.
He made it clear that he never played differently because he had always been in love with his rival. And how can you accuse him of losing on purpose, when in game 7 Hollander was the MVP? Three goals without an assist that could have been at least two more if the team had been concerned with playing with him instead of ignoring him, and he even gave an assist for Pike's goal that sent the game to overtime.
But the third piece of news that truly took everyone's breath away and set social media ablaze was Hollander's final statement, right after declaring himself the best player in the league — based on actual stats, at that.
On social media, the cry of despair was collective among a large part of the Montreal Metros fanbase with Hollander's statement that this was his last game with them and that he is now a free agent for the next season, and will sign with "(...) an inclusive team that respects me, a team that values the blood, sweat and tears I have always dedicated to my training and to every game I have ever played. Regardless of whether I am gay or in a long-term relationship with Ilya Rozanov." — making it clear that the Metros do not value or respect him since his relationship was leaked, and promising to do everything in his power to never let them lift another Cup as long as he’s facing them on the ice.
This article mentioned at first that there were three big shocks for the hockey community, but it was only referring to Hollander's press conference, now officially the former captain of the Montreal Metros since the official statement was posted on his social media by his management shortly before the end of the press conference, and the group photos with the team were also removed.
Because on the other side of the Bell Centre, Rozanov was also giving his interview.
And someone had the idea to ask him a similar question, to which Rozanov, in classic Rozanov style, didn't mince words to express his dismay, both outraged by the accusation on behalf of his boyfriend and offended himself.
Which only intensified after someone from the technical staff ended up putting Hollander's interview on the screen behind the Centaurs' captain.
And if Rozanov's statement that Hollander is the best player in the league even before he watched the Montreal Metros’ interview wasn't shocking enough, the Russian made a fourth shocking revelation of the night after watching it, in his words: "I've been in love with Shane Hollander longer than I have been a professional hockey player. From the first time he came to talk to me with that beautiful smile and his annoyingly cute freckles at the Junior World Championship in Regina, Saskatchewan."
I had the opportunity to personally ask the current captain of the Boston Raiders, Cliff Marlow, after the game against the NY Admirals, for his opinion on the accusations made by reporters and fans, and on the player's statements in response.
Marlow said, and I quote:
“Despite his reputation as a party animal, he [Rozanov] was always a responsible captain who pushed and encouraged this team to victory, especially when we faced the Montreal Metros. In those games, Roz usually played better than usual, in my opinion. Nobody here on the Raiders even questions whether he threw the games, that's unthinkable because he always focused on winning. And honestly, Hollander isn't the type of guy who would do that, and I barely know the guy, but I've played against him enough to know how obsessed he is with hockey. Accusing him of losing today on purpose is ridiculous, and I didn't even watch the game. It's offensive to Hollander, who has always been a highly respected captain, and also to Rozanov, who has always been dedicated to what he does.”
A similar response was given by NY Admirals captain Scott Hunter, who has been openly gay since winning the Stanley Cup in 2017, and who seemed deeply shocked and upset when our journalist brought up the incident at the Montreal Metros press conference with him:
"Hollander has always been a responsible guy, focused on hockey, extremely skilled, and one of the most easy-going and cool-headed players in the league, if not the most. He's the same guy who won Rookie of the Year and more recently the Conn Smythe Trophy, not to mention the three Stanley Cups whose replicas adorn Montreal's trophy room while Hollander led the team as an excellent and admirable captain. Are you telling me that there are really people so small-minded as to believe that this guy, Shane Hollander, would lose on purpose? The same guy who takes the All-Star Games seriously? That's absurd, and I'll tell you more, that's extremely homophobic. Before Hollander and Rozanov's relationship was exposed by someone who will never in their life understand the trauma, pain, and suffering that their actions caused just for 15 minutes of fame and a few thousand dollars, nobody would ever have dreamed of questioning Hollander's character. But because he's gay, and in a long-term relationship with a rival player, people feel entitled to do so? That's blatant homophobia. I'm sorry that Hollander is being unfairly accused and that his team isn't positioning itself in his favor as Rozanov's has done. This is very shameful for the Metros, considering that Montreal is exceptionally queer-friendly and considered one of the most pro-LGBTQ+ cities in North America."
Regarding Hollander's confident personal statement about being the best player in the NHL, and his announcement that he will not renew his contract with the team that drafted him in light of recent events, lack of support, and mentions of discriminatory treatment, both captains expressed their agreement with the statement and displeasure with the events that occurred.
“Good for him. Hollander is an exceptional player and any team in the league would be lucky to sign him, because Hollzy is the best. Anyone who takes a look at his stats knows that,” Cliff Marlow stated, adding, “I hope he finds a team worthy of him.”
Scott Hunter also stated his agreement: “I’m glad that despite all this, Hollander knows he’s a formidable player. He’s always been very modest, but it’s obvious he’s the best player in the league and it’s about time he was proud of that. A guy who dedicates his entire career in the sport to a team that, let’s face it, he pulled out of the brink of misery, and he’s still treated so poorly by them? Oh, next season is going to be interesting to say the least. The Metros are going to have to work very hard without him paving the way for them, after all.”
With all these facts, the movement against homophobia in sports, especially hockey, has been strong on social media.
Spokenpersons for LGBTQ+ and Queer communities, as well as celebrities like Hollander's ex-girlfriend-turned-friend, Rose Landry and the Centaurs team and management have been very vocal on social media, and other hockey players and teams like the NY Admirals, Boston Raiders, and many others, and even the Prime Minister of Canada came forward and have spoken out against homophobia and discrimination, demanding that the NHL take a stand on the matter.
The Montreal Metros management team, after days of silence, this morning posted a short statement on their social media, stating that they are very sorry that Hollander felt ostracized despite their best intentions, but affirming that they will take legal action and will not remain silent in the face of libel that has damaged the team’s reputation.
The NHL, so far, has only stated that it will investigate the case to see if there was indeed discrimination based on sexual orientation, but does not rule out having to act in the face of the possibility of interference in Hollander's trade which is expected to take place in July.
With the matters around Hollander’s and Rozanov’s relationship taking on increasingly larger spheres and going viral around the world, the absence of preventive measures and awareness against homophobia in hockey, but also in sports in general, and with such superficial statements from the league and the team, it is clear that the issue is no longer just about what happens on the ice.
After persistent questioning from fans on social media about Hollander's well-being after these shameful events in hockey history and an inappropriate press conference, the player's management team states that he is doing well despite the emotional impact he has been dealing with, and is spending time with his loved ones and will be off social media indefinitely to safeguard his mental health, asking fans to respect his space, but thanking them for their intense affection and support.
The Centaurs returned to play this week, against the New York Admirals in the first game of Round 2 which ended in a victory for NY. Rozanov was absent, which caused concern among the Ottawa fanbase and further speculation. The team stated that, despite missing the first game for personal reasons, Rozanov will be present in the upcoming games, but will not provide further details to respect their captain's privacy.
Given this, we will likely only have updates as July approaches, when negotiations begin.
For now, all we can do is follow this season's playoffs.