On the bus, before going through the restaurant’s door, the Ukrainian players were warned that the name of the dish they would try there had nothing to do with the President of Russia. That he existed before he was born.
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Because although the young Ukrainians had taken part in several activities in their host city so far and attended a Canadian game in Montreal this week, many of them had never tried Putin, probably the more iconic Quebec dish.
“It’s very, very, very tasty!” When his bowl was over, goalkeeper Matvii Kulish started.
Players and coaches were invited by Ashton’s new owners to their restaurant on Rue du Marais in Quebec on Wednesday. They arrived there in the late morning after their morning training session at the PEPS.
Was it the appetite sparked by that burst of energy or simply her love for this new dish? Still, most Ukrainians devoured their little Putin in a few bites.
It’s already on his list
Maksym Shtepa had eaten Putin “three or four times” since arriving in Quebec two weeks ago. So much so that he’s now able to compile his own list, with the Ashton’s Putin at the top… “on par with the Bell Centre’s”.
His teammate Kulish wouldn’t hesitate to eat one before the game. But it probably won’t be Thursday morning, as Ukraine, who have four games to win to take the honor in the AA category of the Pee-Wee Tournament, will be on the ice at 8:00 a.m. at the Videotron Center contest victory with the Vermont Flames Academy.
your player cards
Wednesday lunchtime wasn’t just Putin on the menu, however. François Robert, who is hosting two of the team’s players, had a nice surprise in store for all the players: their player cards.
The team had exceeded the tournament deadline for ordering tickets and Mr. Robert decided to have them made himself, bringing big smiles to the faces of the young athletes.
This team loves the tournament so much they’re in it without playing
Photo Jessica Lapinski
The San Jose Sharks juniors took on the As de Québec at the Marc Simoneau Arena on Wednesday.
The San Jose Sharks did not qualify for the Peewee Tournament this year. Regardless, the team still decided to leave California and travel thousands of miles to spend a week in Quebec City, where they organized “their own tournament.”
“We wanted to come and have the experience. The team had been in the tournament for a number of years. Even though we’re not ranking this year, it’s great that the parents came along to experience it,” said Jacqueline Louie, one of the Sharks color bearers.
Of course, the young sharks were disappointed not to be able to take part in the big event. Their coach, Brandon Hirschel, was there last year and had praised the merits of the tournament but also all the experience that surrounds it.
Mr. Hirschel explains that he began the process of coming to Quebec as soon as he learned his team didn’t qualify. At least with the hope of coming through the front door again next year.
“My goal as a coach is not just to develop good hockey players,” he said. It’s supposed to make them good people. This experience in a new culture helps. »
a lot of hockey
Photo Jessica Lapinski
(L to R) Jacqueline Louie, Sharks coach Brandon Hirschel, Jackson Bailey and Matthias Baniqued after their game
Like all “official” teams, the Sharks made the trip big. All parents accompanied their children and took part in the traditional activities related to the competition: Village Vacances Valcartier, tobogganing, learning a few words of French, Putin, pin exchange…
And of course they played ice hockey. Even a lot! By the time they leave Quebec City by the end of the week, the players will have played at least seven games thanks to the help of Dave Dufour, who has coached the team for the past several years.
And without them, according to Mr. Hirschel, “none of this would have been possible”.
On Wednesday morning, the Sharks were in action at the Aréna Marc-Simoneau, where they faced As de Québec. A few dozen spectators were still sitting in the stands, mainly family members of the two formations.
It might not have been the atmosphere of the Videotron Center, but Jacqueline didn’t seem to mind. “The most important thing isn’t so much the tournament as playing hockey,” she said.
“In the beginning, the parents weren’t sure if they wanted to come if we weren’t in the tournament. But as soon as they saw how many games we can play, they were convinced,” added his coach.
A “10/10” experience
In addition, these encounters against good clubs were formative for the young squad of Brandon Hirschel, who was able to win a few.
“I’m really proud of her,” he said. Since we’ve been here, they’re a much stronger team. »
“This experience is a 10/10,” he said before asking his players if they’d like to relive it next year.
“Absolutely! launched Jacqueline. A claim supported by teammates Jackson Bailey and Matthias Baniqued
CALENDAR OF THE DAY
- 8 o’clock Team Select Ukraine v. Flame Academy of Vermont
aa - 9:15 a.m Korea’s Zenith Ice v. South Shore Express 2
aa - 10 am. Middlesex Islanders v. Burnaby Winter Club
AAA - 10:30 am Outaouai’s Intrepid c. Choose Swiss East
AA elite - 11:15 a.m Montreal Canadiens v. Elite Pittsburgh Penguins
AAA - 11:45 a.m Columbus Blue Jackets v. Northern selection
AA elite - 12:30 pm. Mauricie Stars 55 vs. Laval-Montreal Amazons
Feminine - 13 o’clock New Jersey Devils v. Sun County Panthers
AAA - 2:15 p.m New England Prospects v. Buffalo Jr Saber
AAA - 3:30 p.m. Knight of the Czech Republic Philadelphia Flyer
AAA - 4:45 p.m Connecticut Jr. Rangers v. West Durham Lightning
Feminine - 6 p.m Kazakhstan v. Express 2 South Shore
bb - 7:15 p.m England v. Lords of Northeast Quebec
bb
WEDNESDAY
- Bedford Blues 1
Northern selection 6
AA elite - Express 2 South Shore 4
Pioneers of the Northwest 1
aa - Blizzard Saint-François Seminar 1
Columbus blue jackets 2
AA elite - Outaouai’s Fearless 7
New York Islanders 1
AA elite - South Shore Express 2 3
South Shore Express 3 2
bb - England 5
Delémont spirits 4
bb - Chief’s MHA 3
Poland AHW 4
aa - Utica Jr. Comet 2
Atlantic selection 1
aa - Carolina Hurricanes Jr. 2
Commanders of the Collège de Lévis 6
AA elite