CALGARY, Alberta — A girls’ hockey team from Ukraine has arrived in Canada, eager for a brief respite and some gameplay in an arena free from the ravages of war.

After a taxing travel journey spanning 56 hours to Calgary, which included a grueling 24-hour bus trek from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland—complete with military escort for part of the route—the Ukrainian Wings are set to participate in Wickfest, an annual girls’ hockey festival founded by Hayley Wickenheiser, beginning Thursday.

The young athletes, aged 11 to 13, come from eight different cities across Ukraine, where numerous sports facilities have either been damaged or completely destroyed since the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

“They all carry their own heart-wrenching tales of loss and hardship,” remarked Wickenheiser. “Here, we strive to provide them with a week filled with peace and happiness, and my hope is that they’ll take those feelings back with them.”

Wickenheiser acknowledged that it is painful to think about the challenges these girls will return to after their brief stay.

Notably, nine players hail from Kharkiv, where images reveal significant damage to the Saltovskiy Led arena, once the home venue for the WHC Panthers girls’ team.

“It was our home ice arena where we hosted all our national championships,” shared Kateryna Seredenko, who manages the Panthers program and is also the general manager of the Wings.

The Olympic Committee of Ukraine shared images in a Facebook post from earlier this month, revealing that Kharkiv’s Sport Palace, which served as a venue for various hockey teams, has been lost due to an attack on the city.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Seredenko believes the Wings’ difficult journey to Calgary was worthwhile as it fosters hope among the girls.

“It’s tough in Ukraine, but when they arrive here, they can believe that things will get better, and we will win soon. Our focus is on hockey; they deserve to play, and we will always support them,” she stated.

“Many of these young women are future stars for our national team.”

Wickenheiser, a Hockey Hall of Famer with extensive accolades, currently serves as the assistant general manager of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs, in addition to working shifts in the emergency room in Toronto.

Having initiated Wickfest after the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics, she has hosted teams from various countries such as India, Mexico, and the Czech Republic. However, this is the first instance of welcoming a team that has traversed such complex logistical challenges as the Ukrainian girls.

The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health facilitated the entire process, including arranging visas and covering travel expenses for the team.

“We focus on the welfare of women and children. Sports symbolize strength, and when we see these girls bustling off the ice after playing hard, it represents a healthy future,” stated chief executive officer Julia Anderson. “We believe that if we can inspire girls, whether they are in conflict zones or here in Canada, they could positively influence the world.”

This isn’t the first time Ukrainian ice hockey players have sought refuge in Canada amidst the ongoing conflict. Earlier this year, a men’s under-25 team played four matches against university squads in preparation for the world university games.

Moreover, Ukrainian teams have also participated in the Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament on two occasions.

“It’s a historic first for a girls’ team from Ukraine to join a prestigious tournament in Canada,” Seredenko emphasized. “This opportunity allows them to envision their future in hockey and experience how the sport is embraced here.”