Montreal Roses star returns to roots with Ukraine call-up
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It's been a dream season for Montreal Roses striker Tanya Boychuk. The team's co-captain scored the first goal in the franchise's history in the opening minutes of their first game.
The 25-year-old has three goals and an assist so far in the Northern Super League's inaugural season, helping lift the Montreal squad to the top of the table.
The Edmontonian's flair for finding the back of the net has not gone unnoticed.
Ukraine's national program came calling and invited her to participate in a camp in Poland.
For Boychuk, whose father, Vlodko, immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in the 1990s, it's a dream come true.
"It's something that my family and I have been talking about since I was like three years old, playing in the backyard with my dad, but we never really acted on it," she said after a recent Roses practice session.
WATCH | Tanya Boychuk on joining Ukrainian national team:
Montreal Roses forward to join Ukrainian national team for friendly game in Poland
3 days ago
Duration 0:48
Boychuk has played for Canada in the past. She was a big part of the U-20 CONCACAF Championships teams in 2018 and 2020, scoring five goals in eight games.
The senior national team also called her up in 2022. Boychuk says she's not turning her back on Canada, but in the current context, accepting Ukraine's invitation was a no-brainer.
"Ever since the war restarted, it's just been one of my goals to represent the country and be able to wear that badge," she said.
"I'm doing what I felt was right for my heart."
Boychuk still has lots of family members in Ukraine, and more, still, in Poland. They were displaced as soon as Russia's invasion began in 2022. Boychuk says the war is never far from her thoughts.
"It's really hard because obviously the worst is still happening. Just a couple days ago, there were more bombs in the capital," she said. Boychuk said her family lives in a little village and "they're safe right now."
"Every morning, my family and I wake up and we cross our fingers that they didn't bomb our family's village."
Deep roots
Boychuk's Ukrainian roots run deep.
She was born and raised in Edmonton, but the language spoken around the kitchen table was Ukrainian. She went to Ukrainian school on Saturdays to learn about culture and history, practised traditional Ukrainian dancing and was involved with a Ukrainian youth group.
Soon after Russia invaded the country, her mother quit her job to devote herself to her role as the president of the Alberta branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Orysia Boychuk says watching the war unfold, and the toll it is taking on Ukrainians still in the country, is heavy.
"It's very challenging. It's hard to listen, to watch," she said, her voice catching.
"But we do what we can and we find that space where we can give and support."
Orysia said she's overwhelmed with pride and gratitude for her daughter's decision.
"To see young people like Tanya carrying this, the Ukrainian spirit, the pride and the strength onto the international stage — you know, what more can I ask for? It's very special and very emotional."
Boychuk's teammates fully support decision
For any player in the NSL, national team call-ups are to be celebrated. Canada has sprinkled a few young players on its roster in its past few games. Boychuk's Roses teammates will be cheering her on.
"It was awesome," she said smiling when asked about their reaction.
"It wasn't an easy choice, but it was the best choice for her," he said.
"I'm very happy for her and I'm sure she'll have an impact."
Boychuk could see action in a friendly match on Friday, June 27, as Ukraine will play Poland in Mielec, Poland.
The Ukrainians didn't qualify for the last World Cup, but Boychuk hopes she can play a part in helping the country make the 2027 version in Brazil.
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