'Hard to leave': Ukrainian hockey players determined to preserve sport during war
Some Ukrainian hockey players practising on the ice in Western Canada say hockey is life.
The Ukrainian men's national team has been in the Prairies preparing for the 2023 Winter World University Games scheduled to start next week in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Due to intensified attacks on its infrastructure during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country has experienced periods with no electricity, heat or running water, preventing the under-25 team from training at home.
The team has so far played the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon and the Calgary Dinos. They were to play the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton on Tuesday and the Manitoba Bisons next Monday.
Goalie Dmytro Kubritskiy said it was difficult for many of his teammates to leave Ukraine in order to play.
“It was hard to leave our families,” Kubritskiy told a news conference at Rogers Arena, home of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, on Tuesday.
“Some of our guys have weight on their soul.”
He said those on the team understand that it's important for them to advance the sport for their country.
“For them, it's inspiration to continue fighting,” said Oleksandra Slatvytska, executive director of the Ukraine Hockey Federation.
“For many of our citizens, hockey is inspiration.”
Slatvytska, whose husband is currently fighting in Ukraine, said arenas across the country are being used to store weapons and provide humanitarian relief during the war.
All ticket-sale profits from the team's games in Canada, as part of the “Hockey Can't Stop Tour,” are to go to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to rebuild arenas destroyed in the war and to provide humanitarian aid.
Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, executive director of the foundation, said a hockey arena in the Donbas region of Ukraine was bombed on Monday.
“Russia is seeking to turn dark and cold into weapons against the people of Ukraine,” added Andriy Tovstiuk, a 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 proceeds from the next 50/50 to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.
Defenceman Andrii Grygoriev said that after experiencing hard times in his home country, being able to play in Canada is a big deal.
“We are so excited,” said Grygoriev, adding that his favourite hockey players include Oilers captain Connor McDavid and defenceman Darnell Nurse.
“I think Canada is the best country in the world for hockey.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.