Kazakhstan to Face Off Against Russia and Belarus in Upcoming Hockey Matches
Hitting the Ice for Kazakhstan!
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It's Game Time!
The Kazakhstan national men's hockey team has revealed its lineup for the exciting "Qazaqstan Hockey Open" friendly tournament, according to our reports, citing the KFH's press service.
From May 1 to 3, the Kazakhstan hockey squad will square off against Russia and Belarus at the "Barys Arena". Here's who's on the roster:
Between the Pipes: Jellal-Addin Amirkhanov (Magnitka, Magnitogorsk, VHL), Sergei Kudryavtsev (Arlan, Kokchetav), Maxim Pavlenko (Ryazan - VDV, Ryazan, VHL).
Defending the Blue Line: Stepan Alexandrov (Torpedo, Ust-Kamenogorsk), Adil Beketayev, Samat Danyar, Tamirlan Gaytamirov, Artem Korolyov (all - Barys, Nur-Sultan, KHL), Dmitry Breus (Torpedo, Nizhny Novgorod, KHL), Leonid Metalnikov (Admiral, Vladivostok, KHL), Eduard Mikhailov (Arlan, Kokchetav), Valery Orekhov (Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, KHL).
Taking the Ice: Alihan Asetov, Dinmukhamed Kaiyrzhan, Batyrlan Muratov, Maxim Mukhametov, Alihan Omirbekov, Ruslan Ospanov, Kirill Panukov, Kirill Savitsky, Roman Starchenko (all - Barys, Nur-Sultan, KHL), Vladimir Volkov, Denis Chaporov (Arlan, Kokchetav), Vyacheslav Kolesnikov (Nomad, Nur-Sultan), Artem Likhontnikov (Humo, Tashkent), Nikita Mikhailis (Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, KHL), Yevgeny Rymarev (Yunison, Moscow, VHL), Arkady Shestakov (Admiral, Vladivostok, KHL).
Following the tournament, the team will hop over to Sweden for a friendly against Slovenia on May 6. They'll then head to Denmark for a World Championship match against Norway on May 10.
The World Championship is set to take place from May 9 to 25. The Kazakhstan team finds itself in Group B, facing teams like Norway, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and the USA.
As the tournament nears, fans will be keeping a close eye on key players like Roman Starchenko, who may be missing from the lineup. With Boyarkin and Shutov sidelined by season-ending injuries, Sergei Kudryavtsev might seize a goalie spot, and Jelal-ad-Din Amirbekov or Maxim Pavlenko could join the squad. Up-and-coming Vladimir Nikitin could also make an appearance if Amirbekov's team goes deep into playoffs.
For any last-minute roster updates, it's best to check official announcements from the Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation or tournament organizers. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) also usually releases team rosters closer to tournament start dates, available on their official website.
- Mikhailov, a player from Arlan, Kokchetav, is part of the Kazakhstan national men's hockey team that will compete in the Qazaqstan Hockey Open.
- In the forthcoming friendly tournament, Mikhailov's team will challenge teams like Russia and Belarus at the Barys Arena in Tashkent, such as Metallurg from Magnitogorsk in the sports of hockey.
- After the Qazaqstan Hockey Open, the Kazakhstan team will travel to Sweden to face Slovenia in a friendly match, and then to Denmark for a World Championship match against Norway.
- Mikhailov's performance in these games could be crucial for the Kazakhstan team, especially in light of injuries to Boyarkin and Shutov, which might provide goalie spots to Sergei Kudryavtsev and potentially Jelal-ad-Din Amirbekov or Maxim Pavlenko.
