Vancouver Giants to meet Ukrainian teen after hearing of his escape from war
Posted March 18, 2022 7:40 am.
Last Updated March 18, 2022 7:44 am.
A Ukrainian teen who came to B.C. after fleeing Russia’s invasion is set to get the VIP treatment at Friday night’s Vancouver Giants game.
Dany Bereza, a junior hockey player in Ukraine, will meet the team and get some help getting back on the ice to play his favourite sport.
On Wednesday, CityNews reported on the 15-year-old’s week-long journey to Canada after his mom made the difficult decision to send him to family friends in Surrey so that he could be safe amid the Russian invasion.
Dany Bereza, his grandmother, and mother, Anastasiia. The Ukrainian mom decided to send her son to Surrey, B.C. just days into the Russian invasion out of fear for his safety. (Submitted)
Bereza said he was adjusting to his new life well and was excited to play — and watch — hockey in Canada.
“Canada’s hockey is on another level… all the guys are the same: they have two hands, two legs, one head but they are just unbelievable,” he said.
Read more: Ukrainian mom sends teen son to Surrey for safety amid Russia attacks
The Giants heard about his journey on CityNews and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet him.
Dale Saip, Senior Vice President of the WHL team, was moved by Dany’s story.
“Heard about him being able to escape the situation in Ukraine and get to Canada through a lot of effort, it sounds like, and I admire the young man’s tenacity. It’s a brave thing, to step out, and it’s very brave of his family to send him,” Saip told CityNews.
“When you hear about kids being displaced — and they are still kids — it kind of pulls at your heartstrings.”
In addition to talking about his journey to Canada, Dany also mentioned to CityNews that he wasn’t able to bring his hockey equipment to his temporary new home.
“I left all my gear in Ukraine cause it was like impossible to bring it here and I think like… in a few days I’ll go to shopping,” he added. “I got here only with one bag, a backpack, and with some documents and a few t-shirts.”
Saip says it made sense for them to help out.
“Just hearing that he’s a hockey player and arrived with nothing to speak of, including his hockey equipment. That can be very difficult,” he added.
“We thought we’d get him to come to one of our games, you know, chat with him a little bit, and then help him get equipped and set up so that he can go forward and be evaluated and start playing hockey at the level that he’s best suited for.”
Dany has taken up Saip’s offer and he, as well as the family he’s staying with, will attend Friday night’s game against the Everret Silvertips.
His mom, who remains in Ukraine’s capital, tells CityNews Dany is “very happy” to get the invite.
Saip says it’s the least the team can do.
“It’s a Canadian thing to do and we’re happy to help out in the little way that we can.”
