The Montreal Canadiens gave the Ukraine Selects peewee staff an opportunity to momentarily neglect in regards to the horrors of the Russian invasion on Tuesday.
The Ukraine Selects defeated Team Romania Wolves 2-0 on Monday to increase their three-week keep in Quebec City and transfer on within the match.
Shortly after, the gamers bought phrase that they might be travelling to Montreal and be particular friends on the Habs’ recreation towards the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday evening on the Bell Centre.
Ukrainian gamers and coaches had been additionally capable of spend Tuesday morning watching the Canadiens practise.
Following morning skate, Montreal coach Martin St. Louis advised reporters that his father “missed the Canadiens recreation to go see the Ukraine Selects” for his or her 3-1 win over the Boston Junior Bruins final Saturday.
St. Louis additionally had the chance to speak with the Ukraine Selects coaches who shared their expertise and progress within the match.
“We cannot think about what they are going via as a rustic in the mean time,” mentioned St. Louis. “And for the youngsters to take the time to have regular child experiences in a sport, there isn’t any higher place for this than the Quebec peewee match.”
“I do know they’re being welcomed by not solely Quebec City, however by all hockey followers in Quebec. It’s an excellent human gesture that we’re capable of do for them. I’m actually glad to have met them immediately and to present them a second the place they’ll neglect in regards to the troublesome circumstances that they’ve lived via of their nation.”
‘Maybe assist them take into consideration one thing else’
The Ukrainian Selects had been capable of meet Canadiens gamers and St. Louis following observe to take images and seize autographs. They had been additionally introduced with their very own Canadiens jerseys.
“We’re capable of sleep with out fear and over there you do not know if a bomb will fall shut by so it is powerful to stroll of their sneakers,” mentioned Habs ahead Alex Belzile. “We had been completely satisfied to see them. The guys waved at them, threw them just a few pucks, all the pieces to make them smile. Plus, they’re children so I feel it is good for them to clear their heads and put smiles on their faces.”
L’équipe ukrainienne du Tournoi de hockey pee-wee de Québec assiste à l’entraînement matinal! 🇺🇦<br><br>Team Ukraine Select from the <a href=”https://twitter.com/tournoipeewee?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@tournoipeewee</a> is watching the morning skate!<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHabsGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#GoHabsGo</a> <a href=”https://t.co/mo1Qlbkizv”>pic.twitter.com/mo1Qlbkizv</a>
—@CanadiensMTL
“I all the time ask myself if that may actually make a distinction for them and I feel that the reply is sure,” added defenceman Mike Matheson.
“If you’ll be able to simply take two, three minutes of their lives and possibly assist them to consider one thing else, I hope that may be one thing that helps them. Just to speak to them.”
Ukraine will resume its path to the Class AA championship on Friday at 8 a.m. ET towards Vermont Flames Academy.
