The U25 men’s ice hockey team of Ukraine needed a safe place to play ahead of an international tournament and they found that place in Canada.
Canada West’s varsity teams meet Ukraine against the Saskatchewan Huskies four times starting Friday in Saskatoon.
Ukraine will also face the Calgary Dinos on January 2nd, the Alberta Golden Bears on January 3rd and the Manitoba Bisons on January 9th.
The Bison game will be played at Canada Life Centre, home of the Winnipeg Jets.
Ukraine is gearing up for the World University Games that begin January 11 in Lake Placid.
The Ukrainian team is based on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon.
Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine devastated the lives of players arriving in Canada.
Drone strikes often cause periods without electricity or running water for goalkeeper Savva Serdiuk and his teammates at club Sokol Kyiv.
“Russia hits our cities almost every day,” Serdiuk said during a recent conference call with Canadian media.
Life has become very difficult. It’s pretty hard to play when things like this happen. I love Canadians, they are really nice. They’re just trying to help us. It means a lot to me to go to Canada and play there.
Savva Serdiuk
Proceeds from Hockey Can’t Stop Tour ticket sales go to the Canada/Ukraine Foundation, which in turn donates money to the Save Ukrainian Hockey Dream established by the Hockey Federation of Ukraine.
“The most important thing for us is to play our best hockey and show the Canadians our style of play because Canadians love hockey,” Serdiuk said.
“The other thing is to raise funds for the people involved in this war.
“We want to help everyone in Ukraine, including young children, who are trying to (one day) become professional players.
“We are trying to rebuild our arenas because we only have four that are functional. »
Adult men in Ukraine need permission to leave the country if they are needed to fight.
“All ice hockey players and coaches consider it their duty to play for the country,” said Aleksandra Slatvytska, general director of the Ukraine Ice Hockey Federation.
Ukraine’s assistant coach is Dmitri Khristich, who has played 13 seasons in the NHL, including two with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It’s a very good opportunity to show that Ukrainian ice hockey is alive and that Ukrainian ice hockey has a future,” said Khristich.
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