Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team
Introduction
Ice hockey has always been a popular sport in Russia, and the country's national junior team is no exception. The Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team has been a dominant force in international competitions, consistently ranking among the top teams in the world. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of the team, its current roster of players, and its many achievements.
History of the Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team
The Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team was first established in 1977 and quickly gained a reputation as a formidable opponent. Over the years, the team has undergone several name changes, including the Soviet Union national junior ice hockey team and the CIS national junior ice hockey team. Since 1992, the team has competed under the name of the Russian Federation national junior ice hockey team.
In its early years, the team consistently placed in the top four of international competitions, winning gold medals at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 1978, 1985, 1986, and 1989. In recent years, the team has continued to perform well, winning gold medals in 2011, 2012, and 2015.
Current Players
The Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team is made up of some of the best young players in the country. Many of the players on the team come from Russian junior leagues such as the MHL, or the KHL's junior league.
Some of the team's top players include Yaroslav Askarov, a highly regarded goaltender who was selected 11th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators, and Rodion Amirov, a forward who was picked 15th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the same draft. Other notable players include Daniil Chayka, Vasily Podkolzin, and Kirill Marchenko.
Achievements
The Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team has a long list of achievements in international competitions. In addition to its many gold medals at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, the team has also won several silver and bronze medals over the years.
One of the team's most impressive accomplishments came in 2011, when it won the IIHF World Junior Championships in a thrilling gold medal game against Canada. The team's captain, Yevgeni Kuznetsov, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the victory.
The team has also had success in other competitions, including the Four Nations Cup and the Euro Hockey Tour. In 2019, the team won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a prestigious international tournament for junior ice hockey players.
Conclusion
The Russia Men's National Junior Ice Hockey Team is one of the most successful national junior teams in the world. With a rich history, a talented roster of players, and numerous achievements in international competitions, the team is sure to continue its dominance in the years to come.