Ukrainian pee-wee hockey team fulfills a dream
Posted February 18, 2023 12:39 pm.
Last Updated February 18, 2023 12:41 pm.
18 Ukrainian boys and their coaches had a dream – to make it to Quebec city to play in what many call the best international pee-wee tournament in the world.
That dream came true and came to an end in their final match on Friday.
“I mean, everything happens a bit like in a movie,” said Sean Bérubé, Quebec city businessman
The experience these young players had was once in a lifetime.
“There was a lot of positive emotions about it. I know. It’s like it’s a tsunami of emotions everyday,” said Evgheniy Pysarenko, coach of the Ukrainian pee-wee hockey team.
Bérubé said of the tournament that “we didn’t expect them the population of Quebec city and in Quebec province all over Canada to react like that. I mean, it’s been amazing how much love those kids got from from from people here.
Crowds of people came to watch them play and cheer them on – no matter the adversary – they were always crowd favourites. The team’s coach saying the best part was seeing the genuine smiles on the kids’ faces, something that is rare nowadays as the war rages on in their home country.
Pysarenko added “their parents sent messages that we did a miracle with them and they’re so happy.”
The group gave it their all winning against the Boston Junior Bruins and the Romania Wolves and losing 2-1 against the Flames of Vermont on Friday – but this visit was about more than just hockey.
“We’re proud of them, you know, and that’s hockey. Sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want and you have to accept it. But at the end, those boys, they conduct themselves like professionals,” said Bérubé
Pysarenko adding that “it’s pretty difficult, but they’re strong characters. They’re really special. Get some special kids to manage so much from over there. Probably they’re grown up already more than they would like.”
The kids were invited to the Bell Centre on Tuesday to meet some of the Montreal Canadiens players, watch them practice and win 4-0 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pysarenko said that he “hopes they were inspired, we want them to dream on this and now they touch this so they can they realize that is possible. Just this so we push them forward probably many years from now.”
