When the war in Ukraine began, third grader Margo Biestuzheva and her mother, Anastasiia Biestuzheva, were forced to leave their country, joining the millions of people displaced by the Russian invasion. Margo’s father, Igor Rudyi, was already working in Minnesota, so the mother-daughter pair embarked on a grueling seven-month journey, crossing into Poland before eventually making their way to the United States to reunite with him.
Throughout the trip, Margo continued playing the piano, which had been her favorite hobby in Ukraine. Once settled in Minnesota, however, she discovered a flyer for an ice hockey team and felt inspired to try a completely new activity. Because hockey was viewed primarily as a sport for boys in Ukraine, she had never had the opportunity to play there.
Getting started in Minnesota presented logistical hurdles, particularly because Margo and her mother arrived without critical paperwork, such as her birth certificate. However, leaders and parents from the Minneapolis Storm Eight and Under Youth Hockey League quickly stepped in to help. Coach Drew Wood recalled receiving an inquiry from Biestuzheva about joining the league and noted that association members immediately mobilized to bypass bureaucratic obstacles, viewing it as a tangible way to help someone affected by global turmoil.
Beyond resolving the paperwork issues, the hockey community ensured Margo was fully equipped to play by taking her to a local hockey store to purchase brand-new gear rather than relying on secondhand equipment, helping her start fresh.
The welcoming environment extended to Margo’s parents as well. Lacking a car, Biestuzheva and Rudyi found support from team members who provided transportation to and from the rink, helping them integrate smoothly into their new surroundings and building a strong sense of community and family.
For Margo, participating in the sport has brought immense joy. She has formed strong friendships with her teammates and enjoys the overall experience of skating, scoring goals, and simply having fun on the ice.
