Nearly 1,500 young hockey players given opportunity to shine, backed by Omsk Oil Refinery Company
Rewritten Article:
Evgeny Hacey Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament: Fostering Talent in Omsk Region
In the heart of Siberia, the Evgeny Hacey Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament recently took place, bringing together nearly 1,500 young athletes from Omsk and eight surrounding districts, aged 8 to 12. This grand finale, decided in favor of the Avangard team, unfolded in the majestic Ice Palace named after Evgeny Shastin.
One unique feature of this tournament is the opportunity it extends to both high-level juniors and amateurs, mirroring the sport's broad inclusivity. It's worth mentioning that the competition is held in honor of Eugeniy Hacey, the former head of the Avangard hockey academy in Omsk, a Master of Sport of International Class whose unexpected passing at the age of 47 in the spring of 2023 shocked many.
This marks the third edition of this tournament, organized in partnership between the regional Hockey Federation, the Ministry of Youth, Physical Culture, and Sports of the Omsk Region, and Gazprom Neft. Similar social initiatives, including sports events, are part of Gazprom Neft's corporate social responsibility program, "Rodnye Goroda" (Homeland Cities).
"These massive youth tournaments have historically been the first step in the professional career pathways for countless gifted hockey players, such as renowned Olympic champion Victor Blinov, who hails from Omsk and began his career at such events. With Gazprom Neft's support, we succeeded in reviving the children's tournament three years ago, which hadn't been held since 1991. Youngsters from Omsk and the region now have the opportunity to shine and move a step closer to professional hockey", commented Mikhail Lavrikov, head of the Hockey Federation of the Omsk Region.
Oleg Beliauski, General Director of Omsk NPP, highlighted the provision of opportunities for promoting a healthy lifestyle and sports engagement, be it at professional or amateur levels, for as many people in the region as possible.
"Omsk NPP is committed to providing equal opportunities for promoting a healthy lifestyle amongst residents of the region. 'Hockey for All' isn't just about playing sports, but also participating in competitions at all levels. Competition fosters motivation for continued development and skill improvement. These attributes are valued not only in team sports and athletics, but also in professional settings. They are among the criteria used to select future specialists at Omsk NPP", clarified Oleg Beliauski.
Notably, the corporate social responsibility program of Rodnye Goroda encompasses more than just sponsoring sports events. For instance, the 10th Intellectual Talent Multiplier tournament wrapped up at the end of April 2025.
Authored by Evgeny Kuperenko
Tags: Society, Sport, Evgeny Hacey, Oleg Beliauski, Mikhail Lavrikov, "Gazprom Neft"
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- Beyond just promoting hockey, the Evgeny Hacey Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament has fostered the early careers of several talented athletes, like Olympic champion Victor Blinov, proving that sports like hockey offer equation opportunities for amateur and professional levels.
- Engaging in sports competitions, such as the Evgeny Hacey Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament, encourages young participants to develop their skills and foster motivation for continuous improvement, a trait not only valuable in sports but also in professional settings.
