Metallurg Novokuznetsk
- Alias
- Novokuznetsk
- Leagues Played
- Russia VHL 429 KHL 181 Club Friendlies (Regulation Only) 79
- Links
- www.metallurg-nk.ru Instagram YouTube Twitter Facebook Wikipedia
Wikipedia - Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Metallurg Novokuznetsk (Russian: Металлург Новокузнецк) is a professional ice hockey team from Siberia based in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. They are currently members of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL).
History
The team was founded in 1949 in Novokuznetsk (then Stalinsk) to compete in the lower divisions of the Soviet ice hockey championship. During the 1960s, Metallurg managed to advance to the elite group for several seasons, but did not establish itself as a major club until the 1990s when the International Hockey League was formed.
During the first years of the post-Soviet era, Novokuznetsk significantly improved its roster with players from the Ust-Kamenogorsk school.
The team's downfall began in 2004 when its managerial staff moved to SKA Saint Petersburg signing the best players from Novokuznetsk. Despite that the team was able to rebuild itself and years later joined the Kontinental Hockey League in 2008.
Following the 2016–17 season, with the KHL in need to regulate debts amongst clubs through contraction and with Novokuznetsk in financial trouble pertaining to a lack of success on the ice, they were excluded from participating in the KHL on May 24, 2017. Novokuznetsk will continue to operate their junior club program and also participate in the secondary tier of the VHL.
On 21 May 2020, Metallurg ended their affiliation with HC Sibir Novosibirsk, opting to be the farm team for Avangard Omsk of the KHL for the 2020–21 season.
Founded in 1949, Metallurg Novokuznetsk has a rich history and a strong fan base. The team's home games are played at the Metallurg Ice Palace, a state-of-the-art arena that can hold up to 7,500 spectators.
Known for their skilled players and competitive spirit, Metallurg Novokuznetsk has a reputation for being a tough opponent on the ice. The team has a tradition of developing young talent and has produced several players who have gone on to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and even the National Hockey League (NHL).
With a dedicated coaching staff and a roster of talented players, Metallurg Novokuznetsk continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the VHL. Fans can expect exciting and fast-paced hockey whenever they watch the team take the ice.