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 wished to discover a technique to be helpful, so after a number of troublesome conversations with household and associates, he determined to change into a volunteer with organizations working within the war-torn nation, together with Calgary-founded Serving to Ukraine Grassroots Help (HUGS), which offers support to the nation. 

Rock now distributes important meals and medical provides in Lviv, Bakhmut and Kyiv — all whereas carrying 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 yr, and there is no approach I am cheering for the Leafs,” he said.

“The Battle of Alberta is a big factor. It is a massive factor for the individuals of Alberta,” he said, including that if he’ll be staying up late listening to hockey video games, he desires to be carrying the workforce’s colors. 

Calgary takes on the Edmonton Oilers in Recreation 2 of the playoff sequence on Friday. 

Whereas nothing about watching the playoffs is regular for Rock — he wears ceramic plates for cover below his jersey, and he regularly wakes as much as the sound of shelling and assaults round him — he says tuning in to the NHL playoffs and carrying the jersey provides him one thing to raise his spirits, and a way of normalcy. 

“Although there’s a number of chaos and a number of loopy stuff happening right here, with the ability to these days take heed to no less than a recreation and cheer for a house workforce is one thing fairly particular,” Rock said. 

“The purpose is that the jersey brings some smiles, as a result of it lets individuals overlook that you simply’re carrying armour beneath it.” 

Rock says it is vital that Canadians bear in mind the battle continues to be ongoing. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 within the largest assault on a European nation because the Second World Conflict, inflicting tens of millions of individuals to flee their houses. Since then, some cities have been largely diminished to rubble, and hundreds of civilians have died. 

“There’s a number of vital issues taking place right here and there is a number of want that is right here. And if everyone can do what they’ll to assist Ukraine — Ukrainians and all of the work that is being completed right here — that is actually the perfect factor.”