02/22/2026
Cultural Hat-trick Highlights 11th Ukrainian Heritage Night at NJ Devils
By Ihor N. Stelmach
The spirit of the Christmas holidays and the sport of hockey blended on December 21, 2025, creating a uniquely festive atmosphere. Co-hosts Selfreliance Credit Union along with Meest Company successfully played the roles of a true bridge between cultures in supporting the 11th annual Ukrainian Heritage Night as part of the NHL matchup between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center.
Patriotic pride off the ice merged with puck pursuit on the ice as Devils fans were entertained during an eventful evening full of artistic expression. It was a night when hockey, tradition and holiday warmth all came together – uniting thousands of hearts and giving the local team’s fans a chance to learn more about Ukraine, its culture and its people.
Doors opened 90 minutes in advance of the 7:00 PM puck drop with fans entering the arena being greeted by Ukrainian music, folk dancing and Christmas caroling introduced by Michael Koziupa at the microphone, returning as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Koziupa, an accomplished accordionist, would later lead a singalong of Christmas carols.
It was a natural cultural hat-trick of Ukrainian entertainment in the general concourse area with the Dumka Chorus, Bound Brook CYM branch and the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble all performing. Devils supporters witnessed three Ukrainian cultural presentations on a make-shift stage which were described by onlookers as a top-shelf performance.
Ukrainian Dumka Chorus of New York, established in 19149, conducted by Vasyl Hrechynsky, have performed folk and classical music at Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and on Saturday Night Live. Dumka Chorus offers a rich repertoire including collaborations with other artists and continues to perform nationally and internationally embodying Ukrainian culture and spirit through song.
Dumka Chorus and Ukrainian children’s choir Moloda Dumka proudly performed the National Anthem and headlined the evening with their musical performances in the concourse before the game.
Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble from Boston, showcasing Ukrainian culture through folk dancing and providing cultural education and entertainment for MIT and greater New England communities, also performed before the opening face-off.
CYM Ukrainian Youth Association branch #57 from Bound Brook, New Jersey, performed a traditional “vertep” Christmas koliada parody with their pre-teen and teenage members’ sketch receiving a loud ovation.
In a display of religious solidarity, the local Rabbi lighting the Menorah at Ukrainian Heritage Night, dedicated the lighting to the Ukrainian nation for peace and the Ukrainian people worldwide. The Rabbi posed for a photo with Ukrainian St. Nicholas who stopped by for a visit.
The US Military Flag Honor Guard consisting of Ukrainian American veterans presented the American and Ukrainian flags prior to the National Anthem.
The Ukrainian Military Hero of the Game was Walter Yurcheniuk, a US Army veteran who served in Germany as a linguist translating five languages and has been a member of Ukrainian American Veterans post #17 in Passaic, New Jersey since 1972.
During the first intermission, Ukrainian entertainment continued with the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble performing two dances in addition to the singalong of Christmas carols.
Ukrainian holiday ornaments and hand-made crafts and souvenirs were available for purchase at a vendor tables on the arena’s concourse. Varennyky were on the menu at one of the food concessions from a local Prudential Center vendor.
On the ice, the hometown Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead only to see the visiting Sabres score three unanswered goals in the final two periods to clinch a 3-1 victory. The only player with Ukrainian bloodlines, Buffalo’s Tyson Kozak, was a healthy scratch.
Of course, teamwork prevailed, whether it was in the melodic harmony of the Dumka Chorus, performing roles in the koliada parody, the synchronized steps in the Zirka Dance Ensemble’s routine or the offensive and defensive strategies employed by the Devils and Sabres on the ice.
A group photo of all Ukrainians in attendance was taken on the ice at the conclusion of the game with ex-Devils star of Ukrainian descent Ken Daneyko and Ukrainian World Judo champion Svitlana Kykhtii.
The event was organized and led by Mr. Myron Bytz with help from assistants Dmytro Sukhonosov. Andrew Lazirko, MEEST Marketing and Multimedia photographer Regent Saviano and Christina Bytz. New Jersey Devils group coordinator Danny Elgayev was the team’s liaison person working with Mr. Bytz.
The announced attendance of 16,886 hockey fans came to enjoy an NHL game, and as an added bonus, learned about the country of Ukraine, its rich culture and Christmas traditions.
Cultural Hat-trick Highlights 11th Ukrainian Heritage Night at NJ Devils
By Ihor N. Stelmach
The spirit of the Christmas holidays and the sport of hockey blended on December 21, 2025, creating a uniquely festive atmosphere. Co-hosts Selfreliance Credit Union along with Meest Company successfully played the roles of a true bridge between cultures in supporting the 11th annual Ukrainian Heritage Night as part of the NHL matchup between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center.
Patriotic pride off the ice merged with puck pursuit on the ice as Devils fans were entertained during an eventful evening full of artistic expression. It was a night when hockey, tradition and holiday warmth all came together – uniting thousands of hearts and giving the local team’s fans a chance to learn more about Ukraine, its culture and its people.
Doors opened 90 minutes in advance of the 7:00 PM puck drop with fans entering the arena being greeted by Ukrainian music, folk dancing and Christmas caroling introduced by Michael Koziupa at the microphone, returning as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Koziupa, an accomplished accordionist, would later lead a singalong of Christmas carols.
It was a natural cultural hat-trick of Ukrainian entertainment in the general concourse area with the Dumka Chorus, Bound Brook CYM branch and the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble all performing. Devils supporters witnessed three Ukrainian cultural presentations on a make-shift stage which were described by onlookers as a top-shelf performance.
Ukrainian Dumka Chorus of New York, established in 19149, conducted by Vasyl Hrechynsky, have performed folk and classical music at Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and on Saturday Night Live. Dumka Chorus offers a rich repertoire including collaborations with other artists and continues to perform nationally and internationally embodying Ukrainian culture and spirit through song.
Dumka Chorus and Ukrainian children’s choir Moloda Dumka proudly performed the National Anthem and headlined the evening with their musical performances in the concourse before the game.
Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble from Boston, showcasing Ukrainian culture through folk dancing and providing cultural education and entertainment for MIT and greater New England communities, also performed before the opening face-off.
CYM Ukrainian Youth Association branch #57 from Bound Brook, New Jersey, performed a traditional “vertep” Christmas koliada parody with their pre-teen and teenage members’ sketch receiving a loud ovation.
In a display of religious solidarity, the local Rabbi lighting the Menorah at Ukrainian Heritage Night, dedicated the lighting to the Ukrainian nation for peace and the Ukrainian people worldwide. The Rabbi posed for a photo with Ukrainian St. Nicholas who stopped by for a visit.
The US Military Flag Honor Guard consisting of Ukrainian American veterans presented the American and Ukrainian flags prior to the National Anthem.
The Ukrainian Military Hero of the Game was Walter Yurcheniuk, a US Army veteran who served in Germany as a linguist translating five languages and has been a member of Ukrainian American Veterans post #17 in Passaic, New Jersey since 1972.
During the first intermission, Ukrainian entertainment continued with the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble performing two dances in addition to the singalong of Christmas carols.
Ukrainian holiday ornaments and hand-made crafts and souvenirs were available for purchase at a vendor tables on the arena’s concourse. Varennyky were on the menu at one of the food concessions from a local Prudential Center vendor.
On the ice, the hometown Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead only to see the visiting Sabres score three unanswered goals in the final two periods to clinch a 3-1 victory. The only player with Ukrainian bloodlines, Buffalo’s Tyson Kozak, was a healthy scratch.
Of course, teamwork prevailed, whether it was in the melodic harmony of the Dumka Chorus, performing roles in the koliada parody, the synchronized steps in the Zirka Dance Ensemble’s routine or the offensive and defensive strategies employed by the Devils and Sabres on the ice.
A group photo of all Ukrainians in attendance was taken on the ice at the conclusion of the game with ex-Devils star of Ukrainian descent Ken Daneyko and Ukrainian World Judo champion Svitlana Kykhtii.
The event was organized and led by Mr. Myron Bytz with help from assistants Dmytro Sukhonosov. Andrew Lazirko, MEEST Marketing and Multimedia photographer Regent Saviano and Christina Bytz. New Jersey Devils group coordinator Danny Elgayev was the team’s liaison person working with Mr. Bytz.
The announced attendance of 16,886 hockey fans came to enjoy an NHL game, and as an added bonus, learned about the country of Ukraine, its rich culture and Christmas traditions.
Cultural Hat-trick Highlights 11th Ukrainian Heritage Night at NJ Devils
By Ihor N. Stelmach
The spirit of the Christmas holidays and the sport of hockey blended on December 21, 2025, creating a uniquely festive atmosphere. Co-hosts Selfreliance Credit Union along with Meest Company successfully played the roles of a true bridge between cultures in supporting the 11th annual Ukrainian Heritage Night as part of the NHL matchup between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center.
Patriotic pride off the ice merged with puck pursuit on the ice as Devils fans were entertained during an eventful evening full of artistic expression. It was a night when hockey, tradition and holiday warmth all came together – uniting thousands of hearts and giving the local team’s fans a chance to learn more about Ukraine, its culture and its people.
Doors opened 90 minutes in advance of the 7:00 PM puck drop with fans entering the arena being greeted by Ukrainian music, folk dancing and Christmas caroling introduced by Michael Koziupa at the microphone, returning as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Koziupa, an accomplished accordionist, would later lead a singalong of Christmas carols.
It was a natural cultural hat-trick of Ukrainian entertainment in the general concourse area with the Dumka Chorus, Bound Brook CYM branch and the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble all performing. Devils supporters witnessed three Ukrainian cultural presentations on a make-shift stage which were described by onlookers as a top-shelf performance.
Ukrainian Dumka Chorus of New York, established in 19149, conducted by Vasyl Hrechynsky, have performed folk and classical music at Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and on Saturday Night Live. Dumka Chorus offers a rich repertoire including collaborations with other artists and continues to perform nationally and internationally embodying Ukrainian culture and spirit through song.
Dumka Chorus and Ukrainian children’s choir Moloda Dumka proudly performed the National Anthem and headlined the evening with their musical performances in the concourse before the game.
Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble from Boston, showcasing Ukrainian culture through folk dancing and providing cultural education and entertainment for MIT and greater New England communities, also performed before the opening face-off.
CYM Ukrainian Youth Association branch #57 from Bound Brook, New Jersey, performed a traditional “vertep” Christmas koliada parody with their pre-teen and teenage members’ sketch receiving a loud ovation.
In a display of religious solidarity, the local Rabbi lighting the Menorah at Ukrainian Heritage Night, dedicated the lighting to the Ukrainian nation for peace and the Ukrainian people worldwide. The Rabbi posed for a photo with Ukrainian St. Nicholas who stopped by for a visit.
The US Military Flag Honor Guard consisting of Ukrainian American veterans presented the American and Ukrainian flags prior to the National Anthem.
The Ukrainian Military Hero of the Game was Walter Yurcheniuk, a US Army veteran who served in Germany as a linguist translating five languages and has been a member of Ukrainian American Veterans post #17 in Passaic, New Jersey since 1972.
During the first intermission, Ukrainian entertainment continued with the Zirka MIT Dance Ensemble performing two dances in addition to the singalong of Christmas carols.
Ukrainian holiday ornaments and hand-made crafts and souvenirs were available for purchase at a vendor tables on the arena’s concourse. Varennyky were on the menu at one of the food concessions from a local Prudential Center vendor.
On the ice, the hometown Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead only to see the visiting Sabres score three unanswered goals in the final two periods to clinch a 3-1 victory. The only player with Ukrainian bloodlines, Buffalo’s Tyson Kozak, was a healthy scratch.
Of course, teamwork prevailed, whether it was in the melodic harmony of the Dumka Chorus, performing roles in the koliada parody, the synchronized steps in the Zirka Dance Ensemble’s routine or the offensive and defensive strategies employed by the Devils and Sabres on the ice.
A group photo of all Ukrainians in attendance was taken on the ice at the conclusion of the game with ex-Devils star of Ukrainian descent Ken Daneyko and Ukrainian World Judo champion Svitlana Kykhtii.
The event was organized and led by Mr. Myron Bytz with help from assistants Dmytro Sukhonosov. Andrew Lazirko, MEEST Marketing and Multimedia photographer Regent Saviano and Christina Bytz. New Jersey Devils group coordinator Danny Elgayev was the team’s liaison person working with Mr. Bytz.
The announced attendance of 16,886 hockey fans came to enjoy an NHL game, and as an added bonus, learned about the country of Ukraine, its rich culture and Christmas traditions.
