Off Campus Review: A Hockey Romance That Scores Beyond the Ice

By Megan Dawn

The most anticipated Hockey Romance story, since Heated Rivalry, is here. I was excited about both for different reasons. In the case of Off Campus, because I already knew two of the actors involved.

I clocked the talent of Jalen Thomas Brooks, back in 2021, when his Walker character, Colton Davidson, stood out in a cast that included Jared Padalecki and Mitch Pileggi. When the musical Jagged Little Pill came to Broadway in 2019, it brought with it Antonio Cipriano and his phenomenal talent.

It’s because of these two that I was willing to give Off Campus a chance, even though it is not the kind of thing I usually watch these days. And I was not disappointed. So, let’s do this. And remember, this is a sports themed show, so we don’t do first names here. For the guys, anyway.

To give a brief summary – the show revolves around 4 friends who play hockey for Briar University. Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn), John Logan (Antonio Cipriano), and John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks) are housemates, frat brothers, teammates, and all-around support systems for each other.

One of the first things to grab my attention was that these are nice guys. They are typical college guys, yet they’re not. They like to party, hit on hot girls, play video games, and give each other a hard time. But they’re also really nice guys.

They are actually friends with each other. They treat girls with respect. They support each other. And they build each other up. Not what you expect to see in a group of college hockey players.

Each season will feature one of the guys as the main story, as he finds his love interest and pursues them. The other three will build, or expand, their stories in the B and C stories. This first season, we focus on Graham and Hannah Wells (Ella Bright).

Graham and Hannah meet in a philosophy class that Hannah is passing, and Graham is failing. Graham approaches Hannah, asking her to tutor him so he can pass the class. Because, as an athlete, he must maintain a passing grade in order to retain his place on the team. Of course, Hannah resists at first. Until Graham makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

If she helps him pass, he will pretend to be her boyfriend and help her get the attention of Justin, campus musician and Hannah’s current crush. Hannah accepts and we’re off and running.

There are two main reasons that I have issues with romance stories. The first is the overplayed trope of a slow-burn that is so damn slow that the couple doesn’t even admit they like each other, much less get together, until the last two or three episodes. The second is the overplayed tease of a relationship that just doesn’t quite seem to manifest, even though all the signs are there.

I blame Teen Wolf for my dislike of both of these, due to the disaster that was Stydia and the not-so-subtle tease that was Sterek. But that is a whole different review.

Of course we get the typical 3 rd act breakup due to a misunderstanding, but I can forgive that trope as it is really well done. And because of the reason it happens. Because this show is not just about two young adults falling in love and having petty arguments and misunderstandings. Nope, Off Campus is going straight for the heart in every way and brings heavy topics into the mix.

Hannah is a survivor of sexual abuse. Graham is a survivor of domestic abuse. Their pasts play a pivotal role in their stories, both separate and together. In an unusual twist, the two of them are honest about their pasts with each other much quicker than we usually get. They are understanding and supportive of each other, offering compassion and support without making it feel like pity. It’s a very beautiful development.

The misunderstanding comes when Graham comes face to face with Hannah’s abuser and has a very violent reaction on the ice, which costs him his spot on the team, by the way. Something that he can absolutely be understood and forgiven for. The problem occurs when Hannah is confronting him about it and uses the one phrase that can, and does, send Graham spiraling, ‘that scares me.’

He takes the words to heart in a way that Hannah did not intend and uses it to flee from her. All in the name of protecting her.

I had never heard of Belmont or Ella before this show. I was impressed with them from the beginning. But the way they handled these heavy topics was absolutely impressive and beautiful.

Naturally, episode 8 is mostly dedicated to following Hannah and Graham as they navigate their breakup and what that means for each of them. Graham contemplates his future with hockey and how he can make sure he does not end up like his father. Hannah focuses on school and writing her song for the music contest coming later in the episode.

Thankfully, Graham finds his peace with hockey, and with himself. Hannah writes an incredible song. And all of their friends make sure that Graham is at the competition to hear Hannah sing. In true romance fashion, they talk after the contest and agree to give the relationship another try. Given they are perfect for each other, just as their friends said, I am quite happy with this happening.

Elsewhere on the show, the B storyline focuses on Di Laurentis and Hannah’s best friend Allie (Mika Abdalla). If any of the four guys can be called a ‘player’ on this show, it is definitely Di Laurentis. But he’s not gross about it, so I don’t judge him.

What starts as a hook up between Di Laurentis and the newly single Allie slowly gravitates towards more as the show carries on. By the end of the season, Di Laurentis has accepted that he has actual feelings for Allie. However, when he goes to tell her, it turns out she has also slept with another guy who just happens to be Di Laurentis’ archrival. The season ends with the two guys fighting at the local bar, setting us up for season 2.

And then we have Tucker and Logan. Just because they are the C storyline, this season doesn’t mean they are ignored or overlooked. They definitely are not. We learn quite a bit about both.

Tucker is a sweetheart who loves to cook and is close to his mom. He’s a bit naive and does carry an innocence about him, which the other guys do like to tease him for and take advantage of. He is a fierce and dedicated friend, and there are several times where I think the other three don’t quite appreciate or deserve him. I do not feel bad about saying that he is definitely my favorite.

Logan is the handyman of the group. He has a mother who is in rehab, not for the first time apparently, and a sister who also goes to Briar. Jules (Julia Sarah Stone) runs the campus gossip social media, and she is fabulous. I really hope we learn more about her.

Logan is the most complex of the four. He’s mysterious and broody, but fiercely loyal to the other three. He may spend most of the show pining for Hannah, but he still supports and defends Graham. However, I am still salty that we had a karaoke episode and Antonio did not sing!

The chemistry between the four guys and two girls is excellent. It is clear why they all became good friends outside of the show. That friendship just adds to the show. If you like romances that are not quite a typical romance, you’ll love Off Campus.

One final note.

There has been a lot of comparing Off Campus to Heated Rivalry and I think that is very unfair. Outside both being hockey romances, the shows are very different. And Off Campus’ success should not be compared to, or be dependent upon, Heated Rivalry’s.

One of the biggest draws of Heated Rivalry is its Queer storyline. This is the heart of that show. It brings to light a very taboo topic within the world of sports – not just hockey. It gives voice to athletes who have felt pressured to hide the truth of themselves. And it brings attention to the prejudice that hockey has always had against the Queer community.

Off Campus does not have this. And, as far as I have been able to find out, there will not be a Queer storyline for this show. At least not within the four main stories. With this, it is impossible for Off Campus to have the same impact as Heated Rivalry. Nor should it be expected to.

So, please, let's stop with the comparisons of the two shows and enjoy both – equally – for what they are and what they bring to the table.