On May 12, 2023, during the battles near Bakhmut in Donetsk, Ukraine, the Ukrainian hockey champion Oleksandr Khmil lost his life. He was only 42 years old…
Born on December 6, 1980, in Kyiv Oblast, the Ukrainian hockey player took his first professional steps with the capital’s “Berkut” team. This marked the beginning of his 18-year career as a player. During this time, Oleksandr played for more than 10 clubs and climbed the national podium four times. In 2007, he became the champion of Ukraine with ATEK, in 2005, he earned silver with the “Dniprovskyi Wolves,” and in 2006 and 2009, he won bronze.
Throughout his career, he represented Ukraine on the international stage multiple times. In 1998, he played for the national team at the youth World Championship, and in 2000, he participated in the World Junior Championship. He also defended the Ukrainian flag as part of the student national team at the 2005 World University Games.
Even after his playing career, Oleksandr found a place for his beloved sport in his life. In addition to playing at an amateur level, he became a coach. He worked as the head coach for Kyiv’s “Rapid,” the Brovary “Wolves,” and the women’s team “Ukrainochka.”
Oleksandr Khmil could have celebrated many more victories with his players, were it not for the war. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense, later serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Despite being stationed in some of the fiercest hotspots, Oleksandr still found time for hockey, playing with his comrades on frozen lakes in the forests. He devoted his entire life to hockey and gave his life for Ukraine…