Dmytro Kubrytskyi has been the star of the show for the Ukrainian U25 National Team over the past week.
Joining the team for the ‘Hockey Can’t Stop Tour’, Kubrytskyi has put together two excellent performances between the pipes. The team is currently in the midst of a four-game schedule as they go up against four Canada West (University Sports) opponents.
It began on December 30 when the Saskatchewan Huskies hosted the first leg before the University of Calgary Dinos hosted the second leg on Monday, January 2.
Saskatchewan edged Ukraine, 2-0 while Calgary downed Ukraine, 3-1. Following games against the University of Alberta and the University of Manitoba, the U25 team representing Ukraine will be off to New York to play in the FISU World Winter University Games from January 11 to 23.
In two games so far, Dmytro has made 49 saves as he has given Team Ukraine a great opportunity to win both games.
He made 24 saves in the team’s first game and then was just as good on Monday in making 25 saves against Calgary. Calgary’s third goal on Monday was into an empty net.
Prior to joining his national team, Kubrytskyi was practicing with the Dauphin Kings. The 20-year-old arrived in Dauphin from Ukraine just more than a month ago and he has put lots of work in since, even spending several hours on the ice while the team enjoyed the Christmas break.
Doug Hedley had this to say when asked what it’s like to see a member of the team having success with a national program.
“Very gratifying to see Dmytro excel at that level,” said Hedley. “We knew he could play based on his practices over the last three weeks; however, raising the level of play against a couple of USports teams is really exciting. We are looking forward to getting him back at the end of January.”
The team will remain in Alberta to play the Dinos on Tuesday. If you would like to see them in action and you are in Manitoba, they will play the Bisons at the Canada Life Centre on January 9. You can purchase tickets at Kubrytskyi goes up against Bisons. You can also watch the team’s previous action at ‘Hockey Can’t Stop’ Tour.