The PuCKS "Power Nation" team hit the ice at the crack of dawn Wednesday, outfitted in their snazzy new jerseys.

The 16 "Power Nation" players - including a group of Karen Refugees from Myanmar (formerly Burma) - enjoy hockey practice and breakfast every Wednesday morning at the George Preston Recreation Centre.

"At 11-12 years old, these [Karen Refugees] have seen more death and killing than any of us could imagine," said Connie Klimek, founder and coordinator of PuCKS (Promoting Community Through Kids In Sport).

In a civil war, they fled their country last year.

They are learning to read and write English.

The "Power Nation" team received the following donations: helmets - Rotary, Langley Sunrise; skates - Canadian Tire; sticks - Blatzy Sports; breakfast - McDonalds; coaching - Danny Franco and Dwayne Lowdermilk; and coaching assistants - members of the Langley Chiefs and Chiefs marketing director Jared Harmen.

"These kids are being honoured with our best," Klimek said. "The bar is set."

Joining Franco, Lowdermilk, and the "Power Nation" kids for this past Wednesday's early morning practice were Langley Chiefs players Travis Irving and Marcus Watson, along with Harmen.

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PuCKS gives disadvantaged kids a chance to play hockey and other sports, while promoting literacy.

Its motto is "Putting kids on the powerplay - for life."

Visit www.pucksprogram.ca.