Ukrainian hockey players currently practicing on the ice in Western Canada say hockey is life.
In a press conference at Roger’s Place in Edmonton on Tuesday (January 3rd), Ukraine Hockey Federation executive director Oleksandra Slatvytska – whose husband is fighting in Ukraine – says that people back home can be inspired by hockey.
Ukrainian defenceman Andrii Grygoriev says after experiencing hard times in his home country, being able to play in one of the best countries in the world for hockey is a big deal for him and his team.
The Ukrainian men’s national team has been in the prairies in preparation for the 2023 Winter World University Games scheduled to start next week in Lake Placid, New York. The Edmonton Oilers have pledged proceeds from the next 50/50 towards the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to rebuild arenas destroyed in the war and to provide humanitarian aid.
(Contains content from The Canadian Press)
Oleksandra Slatvytska (left to right), executive director of Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, head coach Vadym Shakmraichur, defenceman Andrii Grygoriev and goaltender Dmytro Kybritskiy answer questions during a media availability with members of the Ukrainian Men’s National Hockey Team, in Edmonton on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
JASON FRANSON
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