I like Andriy Shevchenko because I like soccer and I’m proud there’s a great Ukrainian soccer player.

Andriy Shevchenko was born September 29, 1976, near Kiev. He’s a Ukrainian soccer player who’s a striker for A.C. Milan and the Ukrainian national team.

Shevchenko started off his career with the Ukrainian Dynamo Kyiv team, with whom he won five league titles and two national cups in five seasons between 1994 and 1999. He was named the European Footballer of the Year in 2004. He’s represented Ukraine in 63 matches and scored 28 international goals. Andriy played the World Cup 2006. He was regarded as one of the world's best striker — the AC Milan star tears defense apart with his well-timed runs and cool finishing touch, and is one of the most dangerous and explosive goal scorers in soccer today. Shevchenko is Ukraine's all-time leading scorer with 28 goals in 63 games. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-NVb6tTlbM

Aaron, age 9

I think it’s cool that Vitali Klytschko is the strongest man and that he has a brother, Volodymyr, who’s not only a boxer but an actor.

 Vitali Klytschko is currently WBC heavyweight boxing champion. Vitali 'Robot' Klytschko pounded the UK's Danny Williams into submission in December 2004. Despite being dubbed 'Dr. Ironfist' and looking like the Incredible Hulk; the Ukrainian colossus speaks 4 languages and is a doctor of philosophy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhuiCqO3Rvk

Tyler, age 12

I chose Vitaly (Yaroslav) Viktorovich Vishnevski because I saw him play at the Excel Energy centre in St. Paul for the New Jersey Devils and he scored for them.

Vitaly Vishnevski was born March 18, 1980 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. After playing in Russia for Torpedo, Vitaly Vishnevski was drafted 5th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He scored a career high 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists) in the 2003–04 NHL season. http://www.youtube.com/v/9RUlMb9jIEg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed

Mateyko, age 11

 

I like Wayne Gretzky because he scores a lot. His name is my dad’s name too. I’m proud there’s a famous Ukrainian hockey player.

Ryan, age 8

of the children of the

Ukrainian Heritage Language Program

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

May 2008