Mykola Kosarev's adjustment to North American hockey will pause briefly, but for good reason.
The 18-year-old Royals' defenceman is off to Slovenia to represent Ukraine in Group A of the 2026 Division I U20 World Hockey Championship.
Kosarev, a first-year blueliner with Victoria, will join his home nation for the tournament running Dec. 7 to 13.
It marks a return to international duty for the left-shot defenceman, who led Ukraine in scoring a year ago at the 2025 Division I, Group B event with three goals and five assists in five games as the team rolled to a perfect record and earned promotion.
Now one tier below the World Junior Championship, Ukraine is chasing another step up.
A promotion this year would send the nation back into the top division for the first time since 2004.
The path runs through a tough field that includes France, Austria, Kazakhstan, Norway and host Slovenia.
Kosarev arrived in Victoria after being selected 55th overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft and spending last season in Norway's Stavanger Oilers organization.
Of course, his long-term goal would be to play professional in North America.
Just eight players from Ukraine have suited up in the NHL.
Dmitri Khristich (811 games), Ruslan Fedotenko (863), Alexei Ponikarovsky (678) and Alexander Godynyuk (223) sit on the Mount Rushmore of Ukrainian hockey.
Across professional, U20 and U18 games, Kosarev posted 40 points in 50 outings in 2024-25, leaning on the offensive instincts that became his calling card on the wider international ice used in the Eliteserien.
That space has vanished in the WHL, where a smaller rink and a faster, more physical style have created a clear learning curve.
Through 21 games with the Royals, he has logged one assist, but the organization continues to see steady progression.
"Mykola has consistently improved as he's gotten more comfortable," Royals general manager Jake Heisinger told Victoria News. "It is a big change for him coming to play in Canada and a different style of game than he's used to playing."
His national team selection, Heisinger said, is well deserved.
"We were happy to see him get an opportunity to represent his country," he added.
At six-feet tall and 192 pounds, and known for producing from the blue line, Kosarev remains a player the Royals believe has more to give.
And with a return to international ice, familiar surroundings and the weight of a promotion push, Victoria hopes the week in Slovenia brings another boost in confidence.
Ukraine opens their tournament on Dec. 7 against Kazakhstan.