Ukrainian U25 National Hockey Team Given Heroes’ Welcome in Vegreville

Ukrainian U25 National Hockey Team Given Heroes’ Welcome in Vegreville

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Members of Ukraine’s U25 National Hockey Team were given a heroes’ welcome Friday morning at the Vegreville Elks/Kinsmen Community Park. The reception came as a total surprise to the team, said Head Coach Vadym Shakhraichuk. The team was enroute to Winnipeg for additional training and upcoming game when they took the slight detour off Highway 16. “It’s very exciting that so many people came here to see us. We want to thank all the organizers who met us and helped us.”

Some of the attendees during the reception.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

One of those people who assisted in the effort to bring the Cross Country tour to Canada was TSN Hockey Announcer Gord Miller. He said he had done some work with the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, (IHFU) in the past and the men’s U25 team had qualified for the World University Games. But in discussion with members of the IHFU this past August, they told him they didn’t think they would be able to compete in the event. Through Miller’s conversations and connections enough support was garnered by various individuals, organizations and businesses to sponsor the Ukrainian National Hockey Team to come to Canada as well as compete in the upcoming tournament in the United States. Additionally, funds raised through the tour will help rebuild hockey programs and arenas in the Ukraine, noted Miller.

One of those organizations Miller reached out to was the Canada Ukraine Foundation who, in turn, reached out to Ed Stelmach, who reached out to Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee to organize the reception with other individuals, various associations and schools in town.

As a result, hundreds of Vegreville and area residents, school children, elected officials as well as several members of the Vipers and Rangers hockey teams were on hand to greet the team shortly before 10 am.

Mayor Tim MacPhee gave a warm welcome to members of the team, coaches and officials to Vegreville. He also wished them good luck on the next leg of their Cross-Canada Tour and best wishes in Lake Placid where they will soon be competing in the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire hockey tournament.

MacPhee was surrounded by council colleagues, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs, members of the Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukrainian Committee, several newcomers from Ukraine, children from St. Martin’s Catholic School and A. L. Horton Elementary School as well as many well-wishers.

A. L. Horton Elementary School Principal Keri Busenius said, “Our students were excited to join the Town of Vegreville in welcoming the visiting Ukrainian National Hockey Team players and their staff. Hockey is a much-loved sport here in town. Students also understood, however, that sharing Ukrainian carols during Rizdvo would offer a deeper, heartfelt welcome to the players away from home at the holidays during a time of war. We wish them safe travels and many happy memories of Canada to share with family and friends in Ukraine.”

Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine Committee Treasurer Sheryl Cymbaliuk, said, “It was so great to see the large number of people who came out to show their support for the U25 Men’s Ukrainian National Hockey Team! I hope it will be a special memory for them to stand under the Vegreville Pysanka, and be welcomed by such a supportive community on Ukrainian Christmas Eve. Slava Ukraini!”

Members of the Baydala family said, “We are very fortunate and privileged to have the Ukrainian Hockey Team visit Vegreville! With all the Ukrainian families that are in the Vegreville area, it’s important to support the team. Bringing a little aspect of Ukraine to their new home in Vegreville.”

Vegreville Rangers and Vipers hockey players pose for a photo with members of the Ukrainian national team.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Tina Warawa commented that, “It seems very fitting to wel- come the Ukrainian National Hockey Team today as many Lakeland Ukrainians are preparing for Christmas Eve. To see so many people around them is amazing.”

Vegreville resident and ardent hockey fan Norman Cave said he wanted to attend the reception to show his support for the team. “I watch a lot of hockey and have watched Ukrainian national team play.” Cave said he came to Vegreville 30 years ago and that Ukrainian people were very friendly and welcoming and he wanted to do the same.

Honourable Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, ECA MLA Fort Saskatchewan- Vegreville Parliamentary Secretary for Ukraine Refugee Settlement in Alberta, stated, “I’m here today to greet the Ukrainian hockey team. Mayor Tim MacPhee had reached out to me and told me about them coming here and I wanted to make sure I was here to welcome them to Alberta and welcome them to Vegreville.”

Armstrong-Homeniuk explained her role as Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement and Chair of the Premier’s Task Force on Ukraine. “With that Task Force we’ve travelled around Alberta. We’ve interviewed over 250 people and we’ve gotten suggestions and they’ve presented to us problems that need to be solved, and we’ve presented that in a report to the Premier that will be given to her on Jan. 15. From there the Premier will decide what she needs to implement.”

Also on hand for event was St. Paul resident Vern Slonowski who carried a flag of Ukraine with him. Inscribed are the names of medics from the front lines serving in the war in Ukraine. Slonowski said, “The flag was a symbolic thank you for the support they are receiving from many of us here in Canada.

It has been a giant team effort with numerous people who’s each and every little contribution has added up to substantial help for the wounded in Ukraine. Locally, since the onset of the Russian invasion, our Ukrainian community has had fundraisers like the church suppers and both live and silent auctions.

This flag went through a silent auction late last year and even though it’s made an incredible journey from front lines to Vegreville to be held by members of the touring Ukrainian hockey team, it will continue to travel to raise awareness and funds for more supplies for those needing it in Ukraine.

Eventually, the plan is this flag will make a return trip to Ukraine with Ukrainian Canadians, returning to some of those towns and villages our grandparents left as children more than a century ago, and to let those currently in Ukraine know we have and always will stand with them.

But for now, the flag with its signatures will get ready for the next round of suppers and auctions.”