Ilya Rozanov: Character Analysis in The Long Game
Ilya Rozanov, the star captain of the Ottawa Centaurs, is the emotional core of The Long Game, Rachel Reid’s final installment in the Game Changers series. A Russian‑born NHL superstar, Ilya struggles with depression rooted in his mother’s suicide, an abusive father, and the eleven‑year strain of hiding his relationship with rival Shane Hollander. His journey moves from isolation and self‑destructive silence toward vulnerability, therapy, and public commitment, making him one of the most layered protagonists in sports romance.
Overview
Ilya Rozanov is introduced as a fiercely competitive, enigmatic player who masks deep pain with bravado. He is bisexual, secretly engaged to Shane Hollander, and haunted by his mother Irina’s death when he was twelve. Throughout the novel, Ilya’s actions are shaped by a profound fear of losing hockey—his only escape—and of being deported to Russia if outed. Yet he consistently chooses Shane over his own safety, even demanding that their agent know the truth early in the story. His arc is one of learning to ask for help, both mentally and relationally.
Plot Role
Ilya serves as the primary point‑of‑view character for much of the narrative, alongside Shane. He is the catalyst for key plot developments: he pushes to come out to their agent Farah, he initiates the proposal scene (though Shane proposes first), and his impulsive actions—such as confronting Commissioner Crowell—drive the central conflict. His near‑death experience in a plane emergency forces the couple to end secrecy and leads directly to Shane’s proposal. Ilya also functions as a mentor to younger teammates like Luca Haas and Troy Barrett, offering the support he never received.
Motivations and Traits Through Actions
Ilya’s actions reveal his core motivations: love for Shane, a need for authentic connection, and a desperate desire to escape his dark thoughts.
- Protectiveness and sacrifice: He moves from Boston to Ottawa—a weaker team—to be closer to Shane, even knowing it might cost him championships. When Shane hesitates to choose him over hockey, Ilya coldly demands he leave, showing how much his devotion hurts when unreciprocated.
- Playfulness and warmth: At the charity hockey camp, he resolves a fight between boys with a balance game. He adopts a stray puppy named Anya and spoils her. His teasing banter with Shane and teammates reveals a softer side that he hides from the public.
- Self‑destruction and despair: Ilya smokes cigarettes, has recurring nightmares about his mother, and initially resists professional help. He feels “lonely and miserable” when apart from Shane, and after a breakup fight he breaks down crying alone.
- Bravery in truth: He confronts Crowell alongside Shane, refuses to sign a cover‑up statement denouncing their kiss as a prank, and later films a public Instagram announcement of their engagement. These actions show that his private growth fuels public courage.
Chronological Arc
The story traces Ilya’s emotional journey over roughly one year:
- Hiding and tension (Chapters 1–12): Ilya insists on coming out to Farah; he bristles at secrecy during the double date and at the club. He struggles with pregame rituals and spiraling doubt, texting Shane late at night.
- Breaking point (Chapters 13–24): He attends his first therapy session, admitting he might be depressed. He confronts Shane about the imbalance in sacrifice—Ilya moved to Ottawa while Shane hasn’t told anyone except family. Their fight over a party invitation leads to a rift.
- Crisis and commitment (Chapters 25–34): After the plane emergency, Ilya sends emotional Instagram messages to Shane. Shane proposes; Ilya accepts. The leaked video forces them public. Ilya faces benchings and hostility but gains support from Coach Wiebe and teammate Troy.
- Reconciliation and new life (Chapters 35–Epilogue): Ilya stands with Shane against Crowell, chooses Shane over hockey, and signs with Ottawa. He marries Shane in a small backyard ceremony, adopts Anya, and ends the novel skating out as a married man for the home opener.
Relationships
- Shane Hollander: The central relationship. Ilya loves Shane unconditionally—he says “I choose you” repeatedly—but struggles with the secrecy and Shane’s initial hesitation. Over time, Shane learns to prioritize Ilya over his career.
- Mother (Irina): Her suicide haunts Ilya. He speaks to her spirit in Chapter 2 and dreams of her. He eventually seeks therapy because of her example, determined not to follow the same path.
- Father: Abusive and absent. Ilya reveals to his therapist that his father was cruel and that his early sexual experiences were forced by his coach’s son—trauma he links to his father’s neglect.
- Yuna (stepmother): A warm, supportive presence. She teases him, feeds him, and becomes a mother figure. Ilya feels like a child in her home, a rare comfort.
- Teammates (Troy Barrett, Luca Haas, Bood): Ilya mentors Troy, supports his coming out, and grows closer to the team. His locker room speech rallies the Centaurs after the plane crisis, proving his leadership.
- Dr. Galina Molchalina: His therapist, the only Russian‑speaking psychologist in Ottawa. She helps him articulate his depression and fear of deportation. Ilya eventually trusts her with his secret relationship.
- Svetlana Vetrova: An old friend and former lover. Ilya reconnects with her in Boston, telling her about Shane. Their reunion symbolizes his step toward rebuilding a social life outside hockey.
Key Decisions and Consequences
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Insisting he and Shane come out to agent Farah | Solidifies their commitment to honesty, sets tone for later public revelation |
| Moving to Ottawa instead of staying with Boston | Weaker team, but proximity to Shane enables their relationship to grow |
| Starting therapy with Dr. Molchalina | Begins his mental‑health journey; later helps him cope with being outed |
| Confronting Commissioner Crowell with Shane | Leads to suspension but also to their public Instagram announcement |
| Adopting the stray dog Anya | Provides companionship and a domestic anchor; Anya appears in the leaked video |
| Refusing to sign the “prank” statement | Ends hiding; Ilya and Shane face potential career loss but gain authenticity |
| Proposing marriage (Shane’s act, Ilya accepts) | Transforms their love from secret to celebrated; they marry in July and play for Ottawa together |
Theme and Symbol Connections
- Secrecy and Coming Out: Ilya’s entire arc is about moving from total secrecy to public visibility. His jealousy of Troy’s coming out and his confrontation with Crowell mirror the theme of secrecy and coming out. The ring he wears on a chain under his jersey symbolizes a promise that can no longer be hidden.
- Mental Health and Depression: Ilya’s depression is explicit. His therapy sessions, his admission that “brains can be jerks,” and his fear of becoming like his mother tie directly to the theme of mental health and depression. The novel argues that love is not a cure, but support helps.
- Sacrifice and Devotion: Ilya consistently sacrifices career glory for love. His move to Ottawa, his willingness to quit hockey for Shane, and his patience through years of hiding illustrate sacrifice and devotion.
- Toxic Hockey Culture: The league’s homophobia, embodied by Commissioner Crowell, is a direct obstacle. Ilya and Shane fight against a system that expects them to stay in the closet. The toxic hockey culture theme is explored through benchings, slurs, and performative support.
- Found Family: Ilya originally has no close friends outside Shane. By the end, he has Yuna, the Hollander parents, his teammates, and even Svetlana. This found family network becomes his emotional anchor.
Five Book‑Specific Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ilya move from Boston to Ottawa if it means playing for a weaker team? Ilya chooses Ottawa because it is Shane’s hometown and close to Montreal, making it easier to maintain their secret relationship. He values proximity to Shane over individual awards or Stanley Cup chances.
2. What triggers Ilya to finally seek therapy? After the Halloween party, Ilya breaks down crying while alone, then drives to see Dr. Molchalina. He admits to himself that he might be depressed and needs help, partly because he sees parallels to his mother’s untreated depression.
3. How does Ilya react when Troy Barrett comes out as gay to the team? Ilya feels jealous but also happy for Troy. He supports Troy, takes him to a gay bar, and later tells his therapist that watching Troy enjoy the aftermath makes him long for his own openness.
4. What does Ilya say to Shane during their Christmas argument that forces Shane to reconsider? Ilya reveals he “already chose you, Hollander” by moving to Ottawa. He demands Shane leave, forcing Shane to realize how much Ilya has sacrificed and that he has not fully reciprocated.
5. Why does Ilya agree to wear his engagement ring on a chain under his jersey? Because they are still in the closet when Shane proposes. Ilya agrees to keep the ring hidden until they come out. The ring under his clothes becomes a secret symbol of their commitment until they announce their relationship publicly.