Last year, Dmytro Korzh said he couldn't wait for the Ukrainian Hockey Camp and Cultural Exchange in Erie.

From scenic tours, to Splash Lagoon, to on-ice instruction, Korzh says he had an amazing overall experience.

"I improved all my skills, especially skating," Korzh said. "I got some new friends from [the] U.S.A. [and] from Ukraine."

His time in the states, however, did not end there. With a few connections, he came right back to Buffalo to attend Nichols School during the academic year. In Western New York, he has been busy making friends, and making saves, in multiple sports.

"It was so much fun," Korzh said. "We [won] [every] game except one. We had [a] really good team."

Dmytro will not be attending the 2024 camp, but coach Evgheniy Pyrsarenko will be back for all the fun for a second time.

"Splash lagoon, the beach," Pysarenko said. "[It] was an awesome experience for [the] kids especially, and us coaches."

With the team arriving Sunday, Pysarenko explained that the situation in Ukraine has not improved since last year, as some of his players are continuing to struggle with the events happening in their home country.

"It's pretty difficult mentally because every day you have bad news," Pysarenko said.

But as he brings over 20 new and returning Ukrainian players to Erie, in addition to several Romanians and North Americans, he looks forward to giving them a chance to unwind for four weeks.

"{We're} excited to come to the United States when the Ukrainian Cultural Exchange comes," Pysarenko said.

Camp organizers are still searching for a couple more billet families to house athletes. If you are interested in becoming a billet family or have any questions about the camp, camp coordinator Brendan Sellan says to contact him at 814-923-6946.