Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov meet as rookie hockey rivals for Montreal and Boston. Their public competition hides a private attraction, and after turning pro they begin a secret relationship. Ilya faces pressure from his father and brother, while Shane’s parents shape his public image. After they sleep together, Ilya withdraws following Russia’s Olympic loss. In Las Vegas, their reunion leaves Shane hurt by Ilya’s distance and wondering if they have become more than sex.
Veteran captain Scott Hunter falls for Kip Grady, a barista and art student. Scott keeps Kip out of view, and Kip leaves when Scott will not attend his birthday even as a friend. Shane and Ilya’s secret meetings deepen their attachment. When Ilya uses Shane’s first name, Shane panics and starts dating actor Rose Landry. Rose helps him acknowledge he is gay; Ilya says exposure could make returning to Russia impossible.
At All-Star weekend, Shane and Ilya reconnect. Ilya’s father, whose dementia has advanced, dies, and Ilya returns to Russia. After a fight, he cuts off his brother and tells Shane in Russian that he loves him. Back in North America, Shane is injured in a game. Ilya visits him in hospital, where Shane invites him to the cottage for the off-season. Ilya hesitates, then sees Scott kiss Kip after winning the Stanley Cup and calls Shane to accept.
At the cottage, Shane and Ilya agree to be honest. Ilya tells Shane that his mother died by suicide; they each say they love the other. Shane’s father catches them kissing, and Ilya accompanies him to tell his parents. Yuna accepts them. Shane describes their plan for Ilya to move from Boston to Ottawa and start a charity in his mother’s memory. They leave together, keeping their relationship private for now.