Given the current situation, opportunities in Ukraine are extremely limited right now (we are currently not having import players go here- only helping them and Ukrainian players play elsewhere).

Historically, Ukraine offered a passionate hockey culture, beautiful cities, warm hospitality, and very affordable living. The country's rich history, diverse landscapes (from the Carpathian Mountains to the Black Sea coast), and resilient spirit made it unique in Eastern Europe. We hope to see Ukrainian hockey thriving again soon.

Ex-pat Friendliness:

Moderate
English proficiency has been growing in major cities like Kyiv and Lviv. Ukrainians are known for their kind hospitality toward foreigners, and import players consistently have told us over the years that despite any language barriers, they were welcomed in by teammates/supporters.

Cost of Living:

Very Affordable
The cost of living in Ukraine for players is very affordable on average.

Weather/Climate:

Eastern Continental
Continental with cold winters (20-32°F/-7 to 0°C) and warm summers (70-82°F/21-28°C). Western regions see more snow while eastern and southern regions are milder.

Proximity of Travel:

Eastern Explorer

Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania all border Ukraine.

Depending on where you're at, there's convenient proximity to the Carpathian Mountains, the Crimean coast, and many historical cities throughout.

Hockey Culture:

Established

Historically, hockey in Ukraine has been strong, with passionate fans and solid player development at a bit smaller scale than other countries in the region.

Due to current events, opportunities are extremely limited right now, but the hockey culture runs deep.

Leagues

The top league in Ukraine is the Ukrainian Hockey League.

Ukraine has youth leagues as well as a U19 level which feeds to the senior level.

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