Interview with Oleksandr Hodyniuk
Oleksandr Hodyniuk, Vice President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine and a scout for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, recently sat down for an interview covering key topics in Ukrainian hockey. He highlighted the national team’s return to the World Championship elite division, a milestone achieved after nearly two decades away from the top category. Hodyniuk stressed that previous squads had failed to reach this level for 19 years. The team’s promotion was aided in part by Lithuania’s performance, as they did not lose to Poland in regulation time.
Achievements and Challenges
Celebrating the team’s success, Hodyniuk stated:
“This team accomplished what no previous squad could in 19 years” – Oleksandr Hodyniuk. He also pointed out that this achievement raises the issue of rejuvenating the roster, noting that in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ukraine’s national team declined because veterans stayed on the roster too long. Hodyniuk emphasized that reinforcements should be sought overseas, particularly in the United States and Canada.
On the topic of naturalizing players, Hodyniuk was clear:
“Naturalization of hockey players? Absolutely not” – Oleksandr Hodyniuk. He believes there is currently no trend of young Ukrainian hockey players changing their citizenship, stating: “Today I do not see young Ukrainian hockey players switching nationalities.” This reflects a commitment to preserving national identity in sports.
Regarding potential players who could strengthen the team, Hodyniuk named several individuals:
- Forwards:
- Mykyta Ivashchenko
- Ihnat Pazii
- Mykhailo Simchuk
- Havrylo Simchuk
- Illia Shybinskyi
- Defensemen:
- Artur Cholach
- Ivan Korodiuk
- Mykyta Konevych
Hodyniuk also reminded that Artur Cholach became the first Ukrainian hockey player drafted by an NHL club since 2007, when he was selected 190th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Oleksandr Hodyniuk, who in 1990 became the first product of Ukrainian hockey to play in the NHL and spent seven seasons in the league, also spoke about his son Kyrylo, who plays for Kyiv’s Sokil 2011 and has been called up to Ukraine’s U16 national team. Hodyniuk noted: “My son now plays for Kyiv’s Sokil because Ukraine has everything needed for successful hockey development.”
Additionally, Hodyniuk highlighted that he has been part of the Vegas Golden Knights organization for over 10 years and won the Stanley Cup in 2023 as a scout for the club. The World Championship in the elite division takes place in mid-to-late May, and as early as August 2025, a camp can be organized to evaluate players from overseas. These plans and prospects point to an active development phase for Ukrainian hockey and hopes for a successful future.
Ukraine’s return to the World Championship elite division marks a significant milestone in the nation’s hockey history, one that could spark the growth of young talent and boost interest in the sport across the country. The emphasis on supporting young players and preserving national identity, as underscored by Hodyniuk, reflects a strategic approach to building the team’s future—one that may lead to further achievements on the international stage.
As the Ukrainian national hockey team celebrates its long-awaited return to the elite division, it's essential to reflect on how this achievement compares to past performances. For a deeper insight into the team's journey and its implications for the future, check out our article on Ukraine's National Hockey Team earning an elite division spot for the first time since 2007.