CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey team will join with a group of Canada West institutions in welcoming the Ukrainian U25 National Team in late December and early January to give them the opportunity to play and prepare for the upcoming Winter University Games while raising money for refugees and Ukrainian communities torn apart by war.

Calgary – joined by the Universities of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – will play games against Ukraine, with all profits from ticket sales going toward humanitarian and hockey causes in Ukraine and Ukrainian grassroots organizations in Canada.

The Dinos game against the European nation will take place just after the New Year on Monday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. from Father David Bauer Arena. Ticket information can be found here.

"We are honoured to have this opportunity to help support the Ukrainian people after all they have been through this year," Dinos Director of Athletics Ben Matchett said. "Their resilience and tenacity in the face of adversity have been inspiring, and it's no small feat for them to get a hockey team to North America for this series. We look forward to welcoming them to Calgary, and to the support we know this unique event will get from our community."

Canada West and its schools want to do their part to ensure the game of hockey and all it provides to communities doesn't stop despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The "Hockey Can't Stop Tour" allows the Ukrainian Team reprieve and a place to practice, while raising money to keep hockey alive in Ukraine.

All ticket sale profits will be sent to the Canada/Ukraine Foundation, which provides assistance to humanitarian groups in Ukraine and Canada. The Foundation will disperse the majority of funds to Save Ukrainian Hockey Dream, a charitable foundation operated by the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation with the assistance of the IIHF.

The foundation's goal is to support players at home and abroad, continue to train youth and professional teams, and restore Ukrainian arenas damaged by the war.

Canada West would like to extend a warm thank you to all of the sponsors and partners who are making this tour possible: Tim Hortons, Sobey's, True North Sports and Entertainment, Heritage Frozen Foods Ltd. (CHEEMO), and VISAIC.TV.

If you'd like to get involved as a sponsor, please contact Stefanie.Lasuik@canadawest.org.

-UC-