Gloucester Rangers Minor Pee Wee 'AA' Host Ukrainian Squad

The Gloucester Ranger Minor Pee Wee AA team were proud to host 16 players from the Sokol Kiev (Kiev Falcons) in the Ukraine during the Bell Capital Tournament. Because the team who was originally scheduled to host was unable to do it, we were asked by the Bell Capital orgainzing committee to step in only two weeks prior to this team arriving in the Capital. This Rangers team was quickly on the band wagon with many people opening up their homes to take in these 11 year old boys. We picked up these very tired boys at the Leitrim Arena where a bus brought the players and their 6 delegates in from Dorval airport after they travelled more than 7200 kilometres to play hockey. Even though they had just completed a 10 hour flight and 90 minute bus ride, when they arrived at their host families home they all seemed to settle in nicely, showering us with tokens from their home.

We spent an evening at the Ottawa 67's game on December 30 at the Corel Center where we had adjoining suites and the players, coaches and parents could mingle. The Ukrainian boys played the first game of the tournament against the Cumberland Barons and were involved in the opening ceremonies.

Even though we didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the boys arrival, the billeting families showed them a great time. Many skated on outdoor rinks, lakes and ponds. Some snowmobiled and went 4-wheeling, some toured the city, played lots of mini-stick hockey and air hockey. MacDonalds and Pizza Hut turned out to be favourite places to eat out. There were many laughs exchanged by the kids as well as some language lessons in both languages amongst the boys (some the boys shouldn't share with their parents).

This tournament wasn't just special to those who host. One of the boys who was billeted with my family had only met his grandfather when he was 2 months old. His grandfather has been living in the States for 11 years and has not been back to the Ukraine. He drove 10 hours from Pittsburgh to see his grandson for the first time. This was a very emotional meeting and just one more reason that a large tournament like this is so important to so many people.

This experience only reinforces the fact that it isn't just about the game, but about the memories and the people we meet and, of course, the friends we make. In spite of the language barriers, everyone had a great time and it turned out to be an experience of a lifetime. Many of the billeting families have exchanged telephone calls and E mails with the Ukranian boys since they have returned home. If asked again, we would do it in a heartbeat!!!