A new group of Ukrainian youth hockey players is preparing to participate in the prestigious Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, marking a return after last year’s team garnered widespread attention and captured the hearts of many. Businessman Sean Bérubé, together with a team of volunteers, is working to ensure that this year’s tournament experience is equally memorable for the young athletes, despite the challenges they have faced due to the ongoing conflict in their home country.
According to Bérubé, the team, known as Team Ukraine Select, is eagerly gearing up for the tournament, with many players still residing in Ukraine. Despite the hardships they have endured, the children are determined to find solace in the sport they love. For Bérubé, who himself played hockey as a teenager in Ukraine, supporting young players in this capacity is a meaningful way to offer assistance and give back to the community.
Recruitment for this year’s team was notably easier than in previous years, with many young athletes showing interest in joining following the successes of the previous year. The players, including a female participant, have been undergoing intensive training in Romania under the guidance of their coach, Evgeniy Pysarenko. After numerous challenges and hurdles, the team is expected to make their way to Quebec City with the hope of competing in the upcoming tournament.
The bond between the Ukrainian team and the Quebec community remains strong, as host families and volunteers in Quebec City eagerly await the players’ arrival. Significantly, a group of Ukrainian children who were part of last year’s team have since returned to Quebec City, further strengthening the connection between the two communities.
Recognizing the difficulties that the young athletes have faced, Bérubé has also established the Mission Druzhba foundation, which aims to raise funds and provide support to ensure that a team from Ukraine can continue to participate in the tournament for as long as the conflict persists. Patrick Dom, the general manager of the Quebec tournament, expressed optimism about the forthcoming event, acknowledging that while the Ukrainian team may not receive the same level of attention as last year, the community’s support remains unwavering.
The Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, now in its 64th edition, will feature 120 teams from 18 countries and is scheduled to take place from February 7 to February 18, with the Ukrainian squad set to play their first game on February 11. This initiative, spearheaded by Sean Bérubé and the dedicated volunteers, demonstrates the power of sports in bringing communities together and providing hope and joy to young athletes, even in the face of adversity.