Oleksandr Hodyniuk on Ukraine’s Roster Reserves for the 2027 World Championship
Oleksandr Hodyniuk, Vice President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine (FHU) and a scout for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, discussed in an interview the reserve players being considered for Ukraine’s national team ahead of the 2027 World Championship in the elite division. He stressed the need to scout players overseas due to changes in the tournament schedule and named specific candidates who could strengthen the squad. It is worth noting that Ukraine’s national team has returned to the top division for the first time since 2007.
The 2027 World Championship in the elite division is set to take place in mid-to-late May. Hodyniuk pointed out that the situation in 2027 will be different, as the adjusted timeline will allow coaches to gather most Ukrainians currently playing in the United States and Canada. He remarked:
“Look, virtually every player who could have strengthened the team from European clubs already participated in this championship. So we need to look for reserves overseas.” - Oleksandr Hodyniuk
Several potential candidates have emerged to bolster the roster. Hodyniuk named a number of players who could be valuable to the team in a year. Among forwards, he highlighted:
- Mykyta Ivashchenko
- Ihnat Pazii
- Mykhailo Simchuk
- Havrylo Simchuk
- Illia Shybinskyi
As for defensemen, they include:
- Artur Cholach
- Ivan Korodiuk
- Mykyta Konevych
Ukraine’s national hockey team, it should be recalled, finished second in Division IA of the 2026 World Championship. In the final game of that tournament, the team secured a victory over Japan, a crucial step on the path back to the elite division. Hodyniuk is confident that efforts to find new talent will help Ukraine succeed at the upcoming World Championship.
The Significance of Returning to the Elite Division
The importance of Ukraine’s return to the elite hockey division cannot be overstated, as it opens up new opportunities for the development of Ukrainian hockey, attracting new players and raising the level of competition. Scouting talented Ukrainian hockey players overseas could be a key factor for success on the international stage, given that a significant number of players with Ukrainian roots compete in the NHL and other North American leagues.
As Ukraine's hockey team prepares for the 2027 World Championship, it's important to reflect on their recent achievements. After a 19-year absence from the elite tier, the team has made a remarkable comeback. For a deeper understanding of how Ukraine returned to hockey's top level and the implications for future competitions, read more about their journey here.