‘Heated Rivalry’ Cabin Owner Needed ‘Soul Searching’ Before Season 2

Michael Kutryk, the owner of the now-famous cabin featured in “Heated Rivalry” Season 1, said he needed to do some “soul searching” before allowing the HBO production to come back for Season 2.

“I did a little bit of soul searching about allowing them to come back,” Kutryk told HGTV. “I know they need it, and I realize I [could] be difficult and try to squeeze them, but I [couldn’t] bring myself to do that.”

He continued, “When they called, they said, ‘How much do you want?’ First, I told them they scratched my table, then I named a very reasonable price. They were shocked and appreciative. I actually didn’t even get them to replace my table.”

Kutryk’s house was featured in the “Heated Rivalry” Season 1 finale, titled “The Cottage,” in which Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) brings Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) to his remote family cabin for a private getaway. Kutryk, a Toronto doctor, said he was shocked when he first listened to Rachel Reid’s “Game Changer,” on which the show is based, on audiobook.

“My jaw just dropped as I listened. The pretty explicit nature of the book made me wonder just what they’d be filming … and showing!” Kutryk said. “I just thought, OK, they’re gonna film what they’re gonna film. What’s done is done.”

“We’ll see after Season 2 airs what demand is like,” he added. “It’s still true: I’m a private guy. This is my retreat. I built this to get away from the world, so I don’t know how much longer I’ll continue to share it.”

“Heated Rivalry” Season 2, which was greenlit in December 2025, is expected to release in April 2027. The HBO Max and Crave series follows up-and-coming professional hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who maintain a facade as fierce competitors on the ice while engaging in a secret romance.