Connor Storrie, known for his role as Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov in the Crave series "Heated Rivalry," has debuted a significantly altered hairstyle for the upcoming second season. Storrie, 26, shaved off his signature blond curls, adopting a buzz cut that has quickly become a focal point of fan discussion.
The change was first noticed when Storrie was photographed dining with co-star Christina Chang in Toronto on Sunday. He was later seen on set in Dundas, Ontario, where filming for Season 2 is underway. The production notably featured artificial snow at the filming location, suggesting a winter-themed scene.
Fans have expressed strong reactions to the haircut, with many lamenting the loss of Storrie's curls. Social media platforms have seen an outpouring of distress from devotees of the series. Some fans expressed disbelief, with one user writing on X, "WHERE ARE HIS CURLS HE CANT SEE WITHOUT HIS CURLS." Another commented, "my stomach hurts," while a third added, "This has to be AI I’m gonna cry."
The strong fan attachment to Storrie's previous hairstyle is partly rooted in the source material. The second season is based on Rachel Reid's novel "The Long Game," the sixth book in her "Game Changers" series, which describes the character Ilya as having long hair.
However, some fans have offered alternative interpretations of the new look. Some believe the buzz cut aligns with Ilya's Russian heritage, while others speculate it may reflect the character's emotional journey in Season 2, which is anticipated to explore themes of depression. Storrie himself had previously indicated an openness to changing his look. In a December interview with Teen Vogue, he mentioned being ready to cut his hair, stating, "I’m ready to shave my head. I don’t know who’s out there, but someone hire me and give me a crazy haircut."
Despite the current online fervor surrounding the haircut, some fans are looking ahead to the on-screen interactions between Storrie's character and co-star Hudson Williams. The prevailing sentiment in some fan circles is that compelling chemistry between the characters will ultimately overshadow the debate about Storrie's hairstyle. "Once we see Shane and Ilya interact again on our screens, all of this will be forgotten," one user wrote. "A haircut does not chemistry make."
For those who miss Storrie's signature curls, his Saint Laurent fall 2026 campaign, shot before the haircut, is currently displayed on a billboard in Los Angeles. "Heated Rivalry" Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on Crave in the spring of 2027.