A former NHL player now coaching Ukraine’s national hockey team describes the brutal realities of life under Russia’s invasion, offering an unfiltered account of war’s daily toll. Beyond the battlefield, he highlights how the sport has become a vital source of resilience and unity for Ukrainians, serving as both distraction and defiance amid unimaginable hardship. The interview delves into the psychological and emotional weight of leading athletes through conflict while keeping the game alive. For those interested in the intersection of sports and war, this exclusive perspective provides a rare, humanizing look at hockey’s unexpected role in a nation under siege.

As Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues, former NHL star Dmitri Khristich has been coaching the Ukrainian men's national team. And in this exclusive interview with THN.com, Khristich painted a stark picture of living through war – and hockey's inspirational role for Ukrainians.