Ukrainian hockey players delivered unexpectedly strong performances at the recent World Championship,Division 1A,the second-highest tier of international hockey. They narrowly missed promotion to the elite category, a level they haven’t reached in 18 years.

The Tournament and the Final Standings

The tournament, held in Romania, saw the United kingdom and Italy secure the top two spots, earning them promotion. Italy is coached by Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen, who will lead the team in the Milan Olympic tournament in less than a year.

The Decisive Game

Heading into the final day of the championship, Ukraine’s promotion seemed almost certain. They needed only one point against japan, a team that had only defeated the relegated Romanians. Though, Ukraine suffered a surprising 3-2 defeat.

We missed… the team did not play according to the coaches’ instructions,
Dmytro Chrystych, Ukrainian coach and former NHL player, Suspiln Sport

Chrystych elaborated on the team’s performance:

The players thought they would go on the ice and play hockey as they like. We warned them that they had to perform tasks from coaches first and that they would be able to manifest themselves individually.
Dmytro Chrystych, Ukrainian coach and former NHL player, Suspiln Sport

A Accomplished Campaign Despite the Near Miss

Despite the disappointing end, Ukraine can view their performance as a success. Ranked 27th in the world, this was their first time in Division 1A with six participants since 2017. They came within a hair’s breadth of reaching the elite group,were they would compete against the world’s best teams.

Changing perceptions and Future Prospects

The team’s performance has garnered increased respect from other nations.

Nobody noticed us before, now others have more respect for us. They want to play amiable matches with us,
Viktor Zacharov, Ukrainian striker and the 1A Division World Championship’s top scorer with six goals

zacharov also highlighted a shift in the team’s mentality:

Our mentality has changed over the last two seasons. we have been collapsed from the Russian and Soviet mentality, which has been here earlier. We are more professional,better approaching training. All boys are pro, as well as coaching staff,
Viktor Zacharov, Ukrainian striker

He also noted the successes of the youth teams.

Coaching and Team Composition

The senior team has been led by Dmytro Chrystych for the past two seasons,with his work receiving praise from the players.

Much has changed. We have better tactics now. we are more skating and trying to be aggressive. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but mostly yes,
Igor Merezko, IIHF

Key roles in the national team are filled by hockey players playing abroad, in leagues such as the Czech league, Poland, Slovakia, and Finnish junior leagues. Only about one-third of the team comes from the domestic Ukrainian league.