‘Hockey is an inspiration’: Ukrainian men’s team playing in Canada aims to preserve the sport

Some Ukrainian hockey players who practice on the ice in Western Canada say that hockey is life.

The Ukrainian men’s national team has been on the Prairies preparing for the 2023 Winter World University Games, which begin next week in Lake Placid, NY.

Due to intensified attacks on its infrastructure during Russia’s occupation of Ukraine, the country has experienced periods without electricity, heat or running water, preventing the under-25 team from training at home.

So far, the team has played against the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon and the Calgary Dinos. They were scheduled to play the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton on Tuesday and the Manitoba Bisons next Monday.

Goalkeeper Dmytro Kubritskiy said it was difficult for many of his teammates to leave Ukraine to play.

“It was hard to leave our family,” Kubritskiy told a news conference at Rogers Arena, home of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, on Tuesday.

“Some of our men have weight on their souls.”

He said that the team members understand that it is important for them to promote the sport for their country.

“For them, it’s an inspiration to keep fighting,” said Oleksandra Slatvytska, executive director of the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation.

“For many of our citizens, hockey is an inspiration.”

Slatvytska, whose husband is currently fighting in Ukraine, said arenas across the country store weapons and offer humanitarian aid during times of war.

Fundraising

All profits from ticket sales in Canada, part of the team’s “Hockey Can’t Stop Tour”, will go to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to rebuild arenas destroyed in the war and provide humanitarian aid.

Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, executive director of the foundation, said that the hockey arena in the Donbas region of Ukraine was bombed on Monday.

“Russia seeks to turn darkness and cold into weapons against the Ukrainian people,” added Andriy Tovstiuk, board member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

“The humanitarian crisis is very real,” said Tim Shipton, executive vice president of Oilers Entertainment Group.

The Oilers have pledged the proceeds from the next 50/50 to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

Defender Andrii Grygoriev said that after the difficult times in his home country, playing in Canada is a big deal.

“We’re so excited,” said Grygoriev, adding that his favorite hockey players are Oilers captain Connor McDavid and defenseman Darnell Nurse.

“I think Canada is the best hockey country in the world.”

This story was produced with the financial support of Meta-Canadian Press News Fellowship, which is not involved in the editorial process.