Connor Storrie is well aware that his fans lust for him. The Heated Rivalry actor and first-time Saturday Night Live host—who only recently catapulted to fame, after the steamy, hockey-centric gay romance he stars in became a surprise TV hit—opened his monologue by acknowledging as much.

Live from New York, it’s Connor Storrie! The “Heated Rivalry” star made his “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut on Feb. 28 with musical guest Mumford and Sons.

The actor, who portrays surly Russian hockey captain Ilya Rozanov in the show, is in no way, shape or form Russian, and learned to speak the language rather flawlessly in just three weeks before filmi...