Canadian volunteer in Ukraine roots for the Calgary Flames
It means staying up till 4:30 a.m., however Steve Rock is cheering for the Calgary Flames from Ukraine.
Rock, 34, was travelling in Europe when Russia invaded Ukraine. He needed to discover a solution to be helpful, so after a number of troublesome conversations with household and buddies, he determined to turn out to be a volunteer with organizations working within the war-torn nation, together with Calgary-founded Serving to Ukraine Grassroots Assist (HUGS), which offers assist to the nation.
Rock now distributes important meals and medical provides in Lviv, Bakhmut and Kyiv — all whereas sporting a red-and-black Flames jersey. Initially from Ottawa, he says his assist for Calgary’s hockey workforce is “difficult.”
“Everyone knows that the Senators aren’t in it this 12 months, and there is not any method I am cheering for the Leafs,” he mentioned.
“The Battle of Alberta is a big factor. It is a large factor for the individuals of Alberta,” he mentioned, including that if he will be staying up late listening to hockey video games, he desires to be sporting the workforce’s colors.
Calgary takes on the Edmonton Oilers in Recreation 2 of the playoff collection on Friday.
Whereas nothing about watching the playoffs is regular for Rock — he wears ceramic plates for defense below his jersey, and he incessantly wakes as much as the sound of shelling and assaults round him — he says tuning in to the NHL playoffs and sporting the jersey provides him one thing to carry his spirits, and a way of normalcy.
“Regardless that there’s loads of chaos and loads of loopy stuff occurring right here, having the ability to this present day take heed to no less than a sport and cheer for a house workforce is one thing fairly particular,” Rock mentioned.
“The purpose is that the jersey brings some smiles, as a result of it lets individuals neglect that you just’re sporting armour beneath it.”
Rock says it is necessary that Canadians keep in mind the battle remains to be ongoing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 within the greatest assault on a European nation for the reason that Second World Battle, inflicting tens of millions of individuals to flee their properties. Since then, some cities have been largely diminished to rubble, and 1000’s of civilians have died.
“There’s loads of necessary issues occurring right here and there is loads of want that is right here. And if all people can do what they will to assist Ukraine — Ukrainians and all of the work that is being completed right here — that is actually the most effective factor.”
