The love story between young Ukrainians and Quebec families continues as six hockey players who took part in the last international Pee-Wee hockey tournament arrived in the ancient capital this morning to spend the school year away from war.
After Mykyta Staskevitch, Maksim Shtepa, Yehor Pyshalko, Zahar Kovalenko, Yehor Kosenko and Matvii Kulish expressed their desire to return to Quebec to play ice hockey, they all smiled broadly when they saw the welcoming committee waiting for them in the Ukrainian Alliance was waiting.
The reunion was full of emotions, especially for the family of François Robert, who will host the great goalkeeper of the Ukrainian team Matvii Kulish.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
“It’s a beautiful day. It’s really an incredible feeling to see them come back like this and to welcome them to spend the next year in Quebec,” emphasizes François Robert.
“We welcomed him in February and he was already part of our family. He is the big brother of our children and we look forward to welcoming him back next year,” added his wife Geneviève Beaucage, who was close to tears.
The young man who never stopped interacting with the Roberts was also very moved to find those who made him a member of the family.
“I feel good and I’m really happy,” admitted the young Ukrainian, whose father is still at war.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
mission accomplished
Once again it was Sean Bérubé, the man behind the Ukrainian team’s visit to Quebec last February, who orchestrated the project.
Although the process presented some challenges, he is glad that he was ultimately able to keep his promise.
“I feel relieved. It is a project that began on their last day in Quebec. When I saw the look in their eyes that day as they cried because they desperately wanted to stay, I realized that it was for me What was really important was allowing them to come here,” he explained.
He also points out that this would not have been possible without the commitment of many people, such as the host families, who plunge into this adventure without really knowing what to expect.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
With open arms
Youngsters spending the next school year at Saint-Patrick Secondary School will therefore be able to play hockey with the English-speaking institution’s M15 program.
Three players from the St Pats team were present to greet them.
“We are confident that it will go well and we will give everyone a very warm welcome. “They will also be a good addition to our team, we really needed them,” says Josh Sévigny, one of his new teammates, laughing.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
In the academic area, the school has also implemented numerous measures that will facilitate the integration of these young people into the Quebec school system.
“We wanted to provide them with a safe environment so that they could adapt as best as possible. “The school administration has done a truly extraordinary job, including hiring a teacher to accompany them in class and help them,” said Danick Powers, teacher and director of the hockey program at Saint-Patrick Secondary School.
Beyond hockey
Fleeing the war, the six Ukrainians are able to develop their passion in Quebec. However, Danick Powers explains that their coming here isn’t just about hockey.
“It shows how much sport brings people together. They come here for hockey, but it goes beyond that. It’s really a message of hope that we want to send,” he said.
The arrival of the Ukrainians did not go unnoticed by the political class. The CAQ MP for Montmorency, Jean-François Simard, and the Conservative MP for Louis-Saint-Laurent, Gérard Deltell, were both present.