After travelling halfway across the world to chase a Canadian pro hockey career financed by cash-strapped family back home in Russia, Artem Gavrilov's options had run out.

Deeply in debt to the Shelburne Red Wings Junior A team where he plays and unable to legally work and earn money in Canada, the 19-year-old was on the cusp of returning to Russia to play in Siberia.

Then, a lucky break.

On Tuesday, three days after the Star published a story about Gavrilov and his 18 Russian teammates on the Shelburne Red Wings, an Ontario lawyer who wishes to remain anonymous committed to wiping out Gavrilov's $3,500 debt to the Red Wings.

Dozens more people from across southern Ontario and as far away as Chicago have also come forward in the past week to pledge their financial support to Gavrilov and other Russian boys struggling to plant the seeds of a hockey life in Canada.

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association has contacted the hockey club asking how they can help. One of Russia's biggest television networks is planning a trip to Shelburne later this month to report on the story.

“It has solved my problems,” Gavrilov said with a smile in his adopted language. “I want to stay in Canada.”

Shelburne's mayor said Thursday he is calling for a public meeting with Hockey Canada next month to account for rigid rules that outlaw the Red Wings and the league they play in — the Greater Metro Hockey League — for having foreign players.

The town of 5,500 north of Orangeville has become a crucible for an unprecedented hockey experiment, the first foreign junior hockey team based on Canadian soil.

But it hasn't been easy for some.

Gavrilov's parents, whom the Star interviewed in Chekhov, Russia, about an hour's drive south of Moscow, have directed the bulk of their incomes to support his dream.

What remains for them can only finance a modest, three-room cottage at the end of a dirt road, with a metal roof, exposed cinder block walls and bubbling wallpaper.

Still, their remarkable contribution to their son's future hasn't been enough, considering team fees, lodging, food, insurance and expenses that inflate the total season bill upwards of $20,000.

“My dream is to give a present to my parents — a home like this,” says Gavrilov, sitting in the nicely appointed, three-storey billet home in Shelburne where the living room wall behind him has these words on display: “We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.”

“My mother would love to live in a big house such as this. Maybe after one or two years in the NHL.”

The generosity from the public transformed Gavrilov this week, says Ken Bennington, the town's deputy mayor, who hosts the teen along with two other Russian players in his home.

“The weight of the world has been lifted from this young man's shoulders. He has returned to his former self, the young man I met in June, always singing along to English radio, joking around.”

Other offers have been flowing in as well, such as Russian speakers willing to translate and teach English to the boys, says Rick Sage, the club's general manager.

“It's been really overwhelming seeing this response. ... This will mean a lot to how these boys are welcomed here in Canada.”

The nature of that welcome has become a matter of heated debate.

The GMHL and the Red Wings are considered by Hockey Canada to be forbidden territory because of their infusion of foreigners — a breach of national policy designed to keep hockey resources focused on developing Canadian talent.

The Hockey Canada policy makes clear that anyone who supports outlaw leagues such as the GMHL — from coaching to playing to refereeing — will suffer banishment from its program for the season.

Already, there have been dozens of expulsions for those who have decided to break the rule.

Some hockey-playing youngsters in town were told not to attend Red Wings games for fear of being kicked off their teams. Red Wing offers to perform free skill development sessions for local minor hockey clubs were rebuffed.

In some cases, rigorous enforcement of the Hockey Canada rule has become bizarre.

A 10-year-old hockey player, whose family billets two Red Wings, served as the team's water boy for a game earlier this season. Afterward, he was told a repeat performance would prompt his immediate removal from the town's minor hockey association.

That, says Shelburne mayor Ed Crewson, is severe and draconian.

“We want Hockey Canada to stand there and tell us all why a 10-year-old can't fill water bottles of Russian players who live in his home,” he said. “I think in a public forum, Hockey Canada will be held to account for this policy.”

A.J. Cavey, a town councillor and hockey mom to two young boys, says Hockey Canada's concern about the impact of foreign players on communities is short-sighted.

“From a community perspective, these boys bring a lot to our town — a different culture, language, the income to billeting families and stories in town. They're contributing to the community.”

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She says the policy infringes upon the rights of children and their families. “I resent a policy that binds my child on what he can or cannot do on his own time.”

Glen McCurdie, a Hockey Canada vice-president, said that while the organization has never been invited to public meeting to discuss the policy, the request will be considered.

“We're comfortable with our existing policy so I don't see a downside to attending.”

Many families in Shelburne have reached out with kindness to the Russians, welcoming them into their homes. But there have also been suspicions.

When Shelburnite Nellie Corvari had a visit from a home alarm salesman recently, his pitch included a curious warning about rising crime rates. “He said there's been a lot of crime in the area and a lot of people are saying it's due to the Russian players,” says Corvari. “We were really surprised. My husband and I just looked at each other. From what we've seen, they're a really good group of boys.”

Gale and Gord Flett of Orangeville are among the more than two dozen people who contacted the Star directly to pledge financial support.

“Hockey Canada is giving small-minded people an excuse to be small-minded,” said Gale.

Her husband Gord, who refereed hockey for a dozen years as a younger man, called it “B.S., plain and simple.”

“I just think, look at all the athletes we have that have gone to train and play in foreign countries who weren't treated like this. Why do people have to be so small to do this to a bunch of kids who are just trying to realize their dreams?”

FACTBOX

Christine Nallaratnam, a Torontonian who has pledged financial support to Gavrilov, calls the controversy in Shelburne a “disappointment.”

“We had a great opportunity to show our Canadian hospitality and graciousness which is recognized globally and we failed. Small town or a big city, it matters how we treat our visitors . . . I hope Artem is given a chance to stay and play hockey and I hope at the end, all said and done, he leaves Canada with a very positive impression.”

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Hockey Canada has been “heavy handed in their attempt to monopolize hockey,” says Adam Scott of Waterdown, who also pledged support for the Red Wings.

“I understand there needs to be a framework of rules and regulations for our national pastime, but like any true monopoly, sometimes they don't do the right thing for their customers, namely kids playing hockey.”

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Jamie Lambier contacted the Star to say his pledge is about expressing Canadian values.

“Often we speak of our identity and values being tied to ‘our' game. Through hockey we express what is best about Canadians: Generosity, resiliency, strength and strong sportsmanship. Here is the perfect opportunity to live up to those values we so vocally hold dear.”

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Donna Murphy of Burlington, whose two children and two grandchildren have all played hockey, said the challenges faced by the Russian players is unfair. “I was heartbroken to think we're so closed minded that we can't accept some young kids who want to compete with our kids for places in the NHL. Hockey is for everyone. We're a big country, we have lots of room. We should welcome them. It helps them and it helps us.”

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