We have forgotten them a little, but the little Boston Bruins are also preparing to experience the most special moment of their young career. And despite their young age, they understand very well that what they will experience today, when they will face the Ukrainian team at the Tournoi pee-wee de Québec, goes beyond hockey.
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The Bruins Junior coaching staff, led by Craig Cashman, had been warned well in advance by the Tournament’s general manager, Patrick Dom, of the enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of Team Ukraine Select in Quebec.
“Our young people are well aware of the situation,” admitted Cashman yesterday morning, after a preseason game that the Bruins won 2-1 in a shootout against the Béliers of French-speaking Switzerland. They learn at school what is happening in Ukraine and understand how special it is for them and the people in Ukraine. These young people are here so that hockey allows them to forget what is happening at home. »
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE
Cashman didn’t want to stuff the heads of his young players by telling them how special – and stressful – it will be to play in front of an amphitheater that is expected to be filled to capacity and mostly in favor of the Ukrainians.
“We’re going to talk to them a bit about it tomorrow, but above all we want to let them benefit from the experience and all that Quebec has to offer. The young people are excited and the first appearances may be a little more difficult, but in the end, the important thing will be to do their best and have fun. This tournament is about creating memories and tomorrow they will create quite a few. »
A LITTLE NERVOUSNESS
It would still be utopian to think that these young people are not already in the mood for today’s game at 11:45 a.m. which will mark the history of the Pee-Wee Tournament.
“I’m a little nervous,” admitted young Bruins color holder Jake Guarnieri. The arena will be full. Between 16,000 and 18,000 people, that’s a lot of people! »
Goalkeeper James Boccuzzi assured him that he remained calm despite the match that awaited him.
“It doesn’t make me very nervous. We have to play our game because it’s still a hockey game. We will have to stay focused and not get distracted,” he said.
But beyond this match, they are all perfectly aware of what is happening in Ukraine and the context in which Team Ukraine Select was composed.
FULLY UP-TO-DATE
“What’s going on with them, you can’t even understand how difficult it must be. I’m excited and it’s an honor to have the chance to face them,” added Austin Lee yesterday.
“These young people come from a country that is under attack. It’s crazy what happens to them,” added Guarnieri.
At 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the Peewee Tournament announced that 15,500 tickets had been sold for today and that it was closing its box office for the evening. The first 2,000 people who show up without tickets will be able to get them today, after which the doors will close.