Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Bonds Beyond Borders

BY NATAILA ST. LAWRENCE '16

When a check knocked Gagik Malakyan ’24 to the ice during the New England Hockey Conference Championship, teammate Artem Buzoverya ’24 sprang into action. He and Assistant Athletic Trainer Sara Moore crossed the ice to Malakyan, who had suffered a seasonending knee injury. Arm-inarm, Buzoverya helped his injured teammate off the ice and onto the bench, where Malakyan cheered Hobart on to victory over Babson College for the NEHC title.

“At a glance, this story is about a teammate helping a teammate. And we’re proud of the camaraderie on the team. But on our campus we can witness the broader significance and powerful symbolism of a Ukrainian national and a Russian in national skating arm-in-arm off the ice,” says President Mark D. Gearan.

Buzoverya is from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Malakyan from Moscow, Russia. In Geneva, they are teammates, classmates and housemates.

“Gags and I are in a different boat, but at the end of the day, we both have families that are struggling. Neither of us have been able to see our families in about two years,” Buzoverya says.

During a watershed year marked by escalating violence at home and the triumph of Hobart’s national championship, they both relate to feeling like they’re on an emotional rollercoaster.

“Every time you step on the ice, you kind of forget about your problems and enjoy the moment with the guys,” Malakyan says. “But then you get off the ice and you’re back in reality again, picturing all this stuff that is going on in the world and you can’t do anything about it.”

Close to the Russian border, Buzoverya’s hometown of Kharkiv has been hit by Russian missiles; damage to buildings and infrastructure has caused blackouts in the city. Buzoverya stays connected to his father and friends through the app Telegram, but otherwise, waits for news updates with the rest of the world.

“My dad is still back home and so are all of my buddies that I grew up with. We’re just waiting it out,” he says. “There’s nothing I can do but hope I get to see my family soon and see them safe.”

Wrestling with feelings of helplessness, Buzoverya and Malakyan threw themselves into the campaign for the national title. Along the way, they found steady support from their teammates and the HWS community.

“This is a really challenging time,” says Malakyan. “I’m thankful for my teammates, coaches, friends and faculty who are doing what they can to help.”

“Being around these guys, that’s been a major help,” Buzoverya says. “There are a bunch of parents who after every game gave me a big hug. They feel for me, and I know they’re reaching out and trying to be that role model and offer that support. I wouldn’t be here without all the support I’ve received.”