The 17 Ukrainian hockey players who arrived in Quebec City on Wednesday to participate in the Pee-Wee Tournament had their eyes puffy from the fatigue of the long journey when they finally walked through the doors of the Videotron Center in the middle of the evening to meet their nine families. welcome who applauded them on their arrival.
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But the fatigue seemed to dissipate a little and gave way to broad smiles when the youngsters went upstairs to see the huge arena in which they will play their first official match, on February 11.
” It’s really unbelievable ! launched Maksym, dressed in a coat with the image of the tournament, on which is embroidered a flag of Ukraine. For us, it’s a chance to be here. »
An email that changed everything
Two hours earlier, the lobby of the amphitheater was slowly beginning to fill with foster family members, most of whom have children attending St. Patrick’s High School.
The excitement was palpable. The mothers we met were eager to get to know their protégés, they who had only learned their
names Tuesday.
It hadn’t been difficult to convince them to embark on this beautiful three-week adventure. An email sent by one of the hockey coaches at St. Patrick’s High School had their hearts racing.
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Ukraine’s Pee wee hockey team arrives at the Videotron Center for the Quebec International Pee Weekend Hockey Tournament, Wednesday February 1, 2023. Diane Toy, happy to meet her young players who will be hosting.
“All the scope of the action that we could take, it affected us, raised Annie Hamel. It’s as if someone had given us a pole so that we could achieve something concrete. »
“Yes, we can send money to Ukraine. But there, we have the impression of being able to make a difference in their lives. »
Ukrainians who came to wait
It wasn’t just host families who were eagerly awaiting the young hockey players. Irina and her two boys, originally from Kyiv and arrived last August, came to welcome them with their Ukrainian flag.
“I know that some will go back there in three weeks, but the important thing is that they live positively while they are here,” smiled the lady.
The general manager of the tournament, Patrick Dom, was overwhelmed by all the generosity shown by the people of Quebec since the announcement of the coming of the
Ukrainian peewee.
“I realize that Quebec is really special,” he said.
“Everyone loves them”
Already, 6,000 tickets have been sold for the team’s first game, against the junior Boston Bruins.
A historical fact for the event, since generally, the majority of spectators obtain their right of entry the same day.
And Mr. Dom expects to show a full house, which would be a first for the tournament at the Videotron Center.
“What I dread, even if I don’t want to think about it too much right away, is the return. But at least the message they can get across is that everyone loves them. Everyone loves them” pointed out Mr. Dom.
“If we can put a balm on what they have been living as crap for a year, that will be it. »
Players who send a message of hope
“At the start, it was an impossible mission. Now that we have arrived here, it is a miracle on the ice,” Ukrainian delegation coach Yevgeny Pysarenko said on Wednesday.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Yevgeny Pysarenko, the team’s coach
The past few weeks have not been easy for young hockey players or for Pysarenko.
A colossal task
It was necessary to gather these young people scattered in several European countries. Four of them were still in Ukraine a few days ago.
“We try to explain to young people that this experience is special, that it goes beyond hockey. May they send a message of hope to the whole world. That they are an example of strength, resilience and solidarity,” pointed out the coach.
Like his players, Pysarenko was tired from the long flights and the car trip between Montreal and Quebec.
But while he was no doubt anxious to get back to his bed, he was also excited to see what awaited the team in the next three weeks.
“Young people are excited,” he said.
A busy schedule
Already, Pysarenko knew their schedule would be busy. As is the norm during the pee-wee visit to Quebec, young people will visit the main attractions of the city.
They will also train over the next few days with players from St. Patrick’s High School, at the school’s facilities.
And the town of Shannon, where two host families reside, invited them to play for free on its ice rinks, where entry is generally charged for visitors from outside.
Ready for a full house
There may also be Tim Hortons on the menu.
At least, that’s what Mia, the daughter of Diane Toy, who is the mother of one of the foster families, has in mind.
But above all, says Pysarenko, the next three weeks will be emotionally charged.
Especially during their first official game, on February 11, for which he expects a Videotron Center filled to capacity for their first shots of the tournament.
“We are ready for that,” he smiled.