Work Text:
The video leaks on a random Tuesday, halfway through Shane Hollander’s first season with the Ottawa Centaurs. After the relationship and subsequent marriage between infamous rivals and to-be Hall-of-Famers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov was revealed at the end of the previous season, all eyes were on the Centaurs and their newlyweds.
The video opens on a wide shot of the Montreal Voyageurs locker room. It is set up to show the entire room, likely some sort of security camera. The time and date in the video show that the video was taken last season, before Game 4 in the first round of playoffs: Voyageurs vs. Centaurs.
The Voyageurs players are mid-suiting up for the game, half in their jerseys and pads. Many of them are absorbed in their pregame rituals: texting loved ones, taping their sticks, etc. The tension in the room is clear, and there is a large gap between captain Shane Hollander, only missing his jersey, in the middle of the room by his cubby and the rest of the team. The only teammate who stands near him is his alternate captain, Hayden Pike. The two men seem to be deep in conversation. They look somewhat tense.
“Hey, Hollander,” are the first clear words spoken in the video. They come from number 87, Gilbert Comeau.
Hollander turns away from Pike, and the locker room quiets. Not completely, but noticeably.
“Yeah?” Hollander responds.
“Just wondering if you plan on telling us how this game is gonna end?” Comeau says. His tone is antagonistic.
Players across the room stop talking and look up from their equipment and phones. Hollander pauses.
“Obviously we’re gonna win. The Centaurs won’t know what hit them,” Hollander is valiantly trying to put on a confident captain voice, but he looks wary, guarded.
“Oh, they won’t?” Comeau asks.
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” Pike pipes up from next to Hollander whose shoulders are climbing up to his ears, though his face remains impassive.
“I was just asking if you and Rozanov figured out who’s winning tonight. And if you planned on letting us know.” The room goes completely quiet. No one is moving, and no one is looking at each other. There’s silence for a moment before Comeau continues. “So we’re winning tonight? You make him cum first last night or something?”
Pike steps forward angrily only for Hollander to splay an arm across his chest to stop him. “What the actual fuck is wrong with you, Comeau?”
“I figured we have a right to fucking know if Hollander is fucking us as well as his little boyfriend. Or, should I say getting fu–”
“That’s enough, Comeau,” Hollander says. He looks angry now, but he continues to hold Pike back who may as well have smoke pouring out of his ears. “If you really think that after all these years on this team, after all these years as your captain, that I would throw any game, let alone a playoff game…” he scoffs.
“Guess we’re all idiots then,” Comeau says, gesturing to the rest of the room. The other players keep avoiding eye contact. “Because how can we be fucking sure, Hollander?”
“Are you–?” Hollander looks around the room, and no one meets his gaze. “Are you fucking serious?” He looks the angriest anyone has ever seen him. Even angrier than when he fought Scott Hunter.
“I have fucking,” he says. “I have fucking led this team, carried you all on my backs. For years. How many times have I won the Conn Smythe? The Hart? How many times have I led this team to the Cup? I did that all while I was– While I was involved with Rozanov.” That sends an obvious ripple throughout the room as players lock eyes with wide eyes. “So fuck you for thinking I would ever do anything to jeopardize this team. I have worked my ass off to get us to where we are today.”
“How many of those did he let you win?” Comeau asks.
Hollander steps toward him, getting visibly angrier. “Oh, fuck you–”
“How many Hollander? Did you get on your knees real pretty for him last time, you fucking fa–”
Hollander rushes towards Comeau, grabbing his jersey in a tight fist and winding up with the other when the door to the locker room opens and coach Theriault walks in.
“Hey!” he yells. “Hollander!”
Hollander lets go of Comeau with a shove, breathing heavily.
“Coach,” Pike says, stepping up. “You gotta do something. Comeau is out of line. He’s accusing Shane of some serious shit and spewing fucking slurs at him.”
“Did anyone hear Comeau say these things? Call Hollander a slur?” Theriault raises his voice to address the room. No one looks up. No one says anything.
“Coach,” JJ Boiziau tries weakly.
“I said, did anyone hear Comeau call Hollander a slur?” There’s silence again. “Then I guess we don’t have a problem here. Get out there.” Theriault leaves through another door, presumably leading to the rink.
Pike runs after Theriault yelling, “Coach!”
Comeau smirks at Hollander who is standing there, staring at him. He grabs his helmet and shoulder checks Hollander and he passes him to follow his coach out to the rink, sending him stumbling back a step. No one moves for a moment.
“Well,” Hollander says, once the door closes behind Comeau. “You heard coach. Go.” His captain face is back on and his back is straight. He stands still watching everyone else gather their gear and file out to the rink in silence. Boiziau stops at the door and turns around on his way out but seems to second guess himself and leave without saying a word.
Once everyone is gone and Hollander is alone in the locker room, he deflates. He curls his spine inward, letting out a big sigh and rubbing at his eyes. He heads back over to his cubby. He leans into it with his arms above his head, taking deep breaths. Suddenly he slams his fist into the wall. He stands up again, violently shoving his jersey over his pads and grabbing his helmet. He turns toward the door and visibly re-straightens his spine and fixes his face. He shakes his shoulders out a few times before confidently following the rest of his team out of the locker room.
The video ends there.
Social media, understandably, blows up about it.
HOLLANOV REAL!!! @hollzy24girl
um has anyone else seen that video of the voyageurs locker room last season?????
↳ jenna @rozanovdynastayy
what video???
↳↳ #1 centaurs fan @fungifunguy
here… link
The New York Times @nytimes
Leaked video from Montreal Voyageurs locker room shows disturbing altercation between former captain Shane Hollander, defenseman Gilbert Comeau, and coach Jacques Theriault.
VIDEO.
↳ voyageurs ON TOP @montrealtilidie
hey so this is insane???
↳ James @jamsmithers
What the fuck?
hollanov <3 @formerbearsfan
ok panic aside this blatant homophobia is INSANE. and this is just ONE day we’re seeing out of the weeks hollander spent on the v*yageurs after he was outed. the fact that we’re only hearing about this now is so disturbing.
↳ HOLLANOV REAL!!! @hollzy24girl
i always wondered why there was such a weird quiet energy around hollzy’s trade…
↳ voyageurs girl @ginabean
I’m actually sick to my stomach.
hollander MVP @24pucksonthewall
did u see hollzy’s face after no one stood up for him… oh i’m gonna be sick
↳ jenna @rozanovdynastayy
girl which time?
↳↳ hollander MVP @24pucksonthewall
any of them… that’s literally pookie why would you ever be mean to him
[Image Description: Shane Hollander celebrating a goal in a Montreal Voyageurs jersey, surrounded by teammates but looking serious. He has blush edited onto his cheeks, hearts all around his head, and a little pink bow edited into his hair.]
↳ markus @lineyman39
I actually cannot believe the way they all treated him. The Voyageurs are a disgrace.
mitty HElp ME @montrealpike35
hayden pike once again proving himself to be the best montreal voyageur
↳ pike girl (sorry jackie) @haydpikefan
THAT’S MY GOAT
↳ gay and tired @iwannagohomeee
#1 ally hayden pike
↳ hailey :) @detroitgal29
pike: GET BEHIND ME BESTIE ILL PROTECT YOU
hollander: alright buddy reign it in
hollzy’s biggest fan @shanehollzypoo
wait y’all,,, this video came from GAME 4. aka the game where hollzy scored a HAT TRICK and literally NO ONE ELSE scored except for one goal from barrett
↳ centaurs cup!! (im delulu) @samsonleftwinger
oh…….. :(
↳ big stick @sanjosefan
i can’t believe he went and performed like that after this… he’s fucking incredible
Ottawa Centaurs ✅ @OttawaCentaursOfficial
The Centaurs have always enforced a no-tolerance policy for discrimination and hate-speech in the locker room and between players. We hope that someday this will be a league-wide policy and not an outlier. We stand with our players, always.
↳ #1 centaurs fan @fungifunguy
THATS MY FUCKING TEAM
↳ hazy’s hands @hayesbestgoalie
the centaurs proving time and time again why they’re the best team in the league
↳↳ Frank Jones @frankensteinjone
They are literally the worst team in the league.
↳↳↳ centaurs cup!! (im delulu) @samsonleftwinger
NOT ANYMORE FRANKIE CENTAURS ON TOP
↳ janet @hockeymom11
Who gives a fuck if players use “hate speech” in the locker room??? It’s how hockey is and how it will always be. People are too woke these days.
↳↳ cup (ilya’s version) @ilyarozfan
it’s really not that hard to just,,, not say slurs
↳↳ boodfan @boodfanilovehim
i really hope your child isn’t queer for their sake holy fuck
hollanov <3 @formerbearsfan
WAIT GUYS in the video hollzy said that he earned all his awards and cups WHILE with rozanov??? how long have these fuckers been together??
↳ herbert winthrope scott @notmyrealname
all roads lead back to “and have been for several years”....
↳ mitty HElp ME @montrealpike35
i always assumed it was after the all star game?? but now that seems too late
↳↳ helena wayne @nightwingsassss
i mean we all knew it was before ilya’s move to ottawa but i guess a year-long relationship is kinda short to be moving entire countries and leaving the TEAM YOU WERE DRAFTED TO
↳↳↳ shilya hollanov @anyabestgirl
@IlyaRozanov HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER??
↳↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
😉
↳↳↳↳↳ hollanov <3 @formerbearsfan
SIR?????
Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
As I’m sure you’re all aware, a video was recently leaked from inside the Voyageurs locker room before Game 4 of the Ottawa vs. Montreal playoff round last season. To my knowledge, the video has not been doctored or edited in any way.
I have remained quiet about my experience during my last few weeks with the Voyageurs out of some lasting loyalty or maybe fear, but now that this video is out there, I don’t see any reason to continue my silence.
The treatment I faced after being outed from not only the management and players of the Montreal Voyageurs but the NHL as an organization was egregious. The NHL was the last professional sport to have an active and open queer player for a reason. Scott Hunter helped pave the way, but we all have a long long way to go.
Throughout my life playing hockey, I have heard horrible things said about people who are perceived as different, whether it's an attack on race, sexuality, disability, or otherwise. There are no consequences preventing this at any level, and it excludes so many talented people from the game.
I love hockey. I have built my entire life around it, and if I could continue playing professionally until I’m old and grey, I would. But the past year has almost driven me to my breaking point.
No, I did not throw any games for Ilya. Nor did he throw them for me. I would divorce him on the spot if I ever found out he did. If anything, I’ve always played my best hockey against Ilya, and while I’m unbelievably happy to be playing on the same team now, I’ll admit the competition is something I’ll miss. And yes, we have been together for longer than you thought. And yes, all my NHL accomplishments were won fair and square, by a man head over heels for the second best player in the league.
[Image Description: Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, close up. They’re in hockey gear, heads bowed together and hunched like they’re facing off, but their faces are open and happy, laughing with wide smiles and scrunched-up eyes.]
↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Second best player in league??? Read my name and weep, Hollander.
↳↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
I’m faster.
↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
WAS BASICALLY A TIE
↳↳ Wyatt Hayes ✅ @WHayesGoalie
Oh my god please don’t start
↳↳ Bood ✅ @ZaneBoodram
STOP FIGHTINGGG
↳↳ Troy Barrett ✅ @TroyBarrett
Not again 🤦
↳↳ Luca Haas ✅ @LucaHaasy
guys please
↳↳↳ Wyatt Hayes ✅ @WHayesGoalie
@IlyaRozanov @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer NOT IN FRONT OF THE BABY
↳↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Ah, he is fine! Builds character! I would know! 😀
↳↳↳↳↳ hollanov <3 @formerbearsfan
SIR
↳ Ottawa Centaurs ✅ @OttawaCentaursOfficial
We stand with you, Shane!
↳↳ #1 centaurs fan @fungifunguy
MAH FUCKIN TEAM
↳ Scott Hunter ✅ @ScottHunterNHL
We’ve taken a step forward, but we still have miles ahead of us!
↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Are you sure your old man legs can carry you that far???
↳↳↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
Ilya.
↳↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Sorry.
↳↳↳↳↳ jameson @gocens2953
WHIPPED
↳ Hayden Pike ✅ @HaydPike35
Love you, buddy.
↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
You want him sooooo bad
↳↳↳ Hayden Pike ✅ @HaydPike35
I am married. HAPPILY.
↳↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Ugh Pike you are so boring. And slow.
↳↳↳↳↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
Says you.
↳↳↳↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
WAS BASICALLY A TIE
↳ HOLLANOV REAL!!! @hollzy24girl
WIAT that photo looks like it was from that photo shoot from before their rookie season LIKE THE SUMMER BEFORE AS IN THEY HADNT PLAYED IN THE NHL YET r u telling me they’ve been together since before they stepped on nhl ice whatsoever??
↳↳ go cens!! @frncscapoli
no way….. right???
↳↳ granite countertop @gravityfighter
ur joking there’s no way
↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
It was a good night 😉😘
↳↳↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
It was.
↳↳↳↳ HOLLANOV REAL!!! @hollzy24girl
ARE YOU SERIOUS???
↳↳↳↳ hollanov r my gay dads @2481allstar
11 YEARS???? IM CRYING
↳↳↳↳ MONTREAL SUPREMACY @quebecman
We’re sorry……..
voyageurs best team @hockeyfanatic73
@ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer i’m sure you’ll never see this but i’m so sorry for the way myself and other montreal fans have doubted you since you were outed. i’m honestly really ashamed of the way i reacted when i found out and when you tripped but after watching that video it all just seems rude and trivial. i hope ottawa is treating you well #AlwaysMyCaptain
↳ Tyrel Will @voyageursjammin
Especially if they’ve been together since the beginning… sorry Hollzy. #AlwaysMyCaptain
↳ JJ HAVE MY BABIES @boiziaufangirl
WERE SORRY HOLLZY #AlwaysMyCaptain
JJ Boiziau ✅ @JeanJacquesBoiziau
I will spend the rest of my life regretting my initial reaction to finding out that Shane and Rozanov were dating. I will spend even longer regretting the way I stood by and let others treat my capitaine like that. @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer I love you, brother. #AlwaysMyCaptain
↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
Love you too, JJ. See you soon, brother.
↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
You grow on me. Like fungus.
↳↳ Hayden Pike ✅ @HaydPike35
Genuinely what is wrong with you
jenna @rozanovdynastayy
rozy’s replies to everyone r genuinely killing me what’s wrong with him i love it
Montreal Voyageurs ✅ @MontrealVoyageurs
The behavior of the Voyageurs staff and players in the leaked locker room video that is circulating is unacceptable, and action will be taken. The Montreal Voyageurs attempt to create an inclusive and accepting work environment for all employees at all levels.
↳ graceland @virginitysucks
what action exactly
↳↳ richard @yourlineybrother
Literally 😭 like elaborate
↳ #1 anya hollander-rozanov fan @ottawaiscoldithink
this is the blandest thing i’ve ever read. white bread boiled chicken white rice no seasoning ahh statement.
↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
Booooo tomato tomato tomato 🍅🍅🍅
↳↳ Shane Hollander ✅ @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
WHO TAUGHT YOU THAT. STOP IT.
↳↳ centaurs head of pr ✅ @HarrisDrover
Ilya.
↳↳↳ Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
🤷
Best Hockey Player in League ✅ @IlyaRozanov
@ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer You are the best thing in my life, but if you ever let me win anything we are getting a divorce.
я тебя люблю ❤️
↳ Shane Hollander ✅@ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer
I love you too ❤️