KHL clubs before the start of the season expect 12 pre-season tournaments. Traditionally, they will not be without surprises: the Sochi Hockey Open will host the Canada-Russia match, three KHL clubs will go to Germany for the Wingas Cup, Torpedo will go to Switzerland for the Bodensee Cup, and the Viktor Blinov Memorial will resume in Omsk. KHL.ru - details about the first five tournaments.

Minsk Cup (Minsk)

Members: Dynamo (Minsk), Yunost (Minsk), Dynamo (Moscow), Dynamo (Riga), Lokomotiv, Yugra.

The Minsk Cup will open the pre-season tournament program. This tournament was organized on the eve of the 950th anniversary of the capital of Belarus. The six teams are divided into two groups of three clubs. After the round-robin mini-tournament within the groups, the teams, according to the points scored, will be divided into three pairs: the winners of the groups will play for the first place in the tournament, the second teams will fight for the third position, and the teams that took the last place in the group will compete for the fifth.

Initially, Dynamo Minsk did not plan to participate in the tournament, but then the plans of the Zubrs changed, and the draw system had to be adjusted for an additional participant. His first matches under the leadership Igor Zakharkin will host "Yugra". Let's hope that the composition and schedule of the Cup will not change anymore, although the participation of Dynamo Moscow in it has recently been called into question.

Cup of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region (Nizhny Novgorod)

Members: Torpedo, Ak Bars, Avtomobilist, Spartak, Salavat Yulaev, Metallurg Nk.

The traditional pre-season tournament in Nizhny Novgorod is one of the longest and most representative. The struggle for victory is flaring up seriously, which is only worth the last year, when coaching emotions went off scale in Nizhny Novgorod. The draw scheme has not changed: a round-robin tournament between six clubs, without knockout games. Of last year's participants (excluding, of course, the hosts), only Ak Bars remained. In 2016, three clubs scored 11 points at once, and only by additional indicators did Torpedo win, leaving the cup at home.

It will not be easy to repeat this result. In Nizhny Novgorod, we will see a globally updated team in action Peteris Skudra, brand new "Salavat Yulaev" assembly Erkki Westerlund, coaching debut Vadim Epanchintsev in the KHL, the first games Danisa Zaripova after returning to Ak Bars. There are many intrigues and plots, which means that a week in Nizhny Novgorod will be interesting.

Sochi Hockey Open (Sochi)

Members: HC Sochi, Metallurg Mg, SKA, Russian Olympic team, Kunlun Red Star, Team Canada.

The Sochi tournament is held for the second year in a row. Already in 2016, there were a lot of interesting things in Sochi. A representative line-up (in addition to the hosts - SKA, CSKA and the Russian Olympic team), surprises for the audience, for example, shaving those who wish with the help of a skate blade. This year, instead of four participants, six will come. The first winner was CSKA, but this year the Moscow army team did not show up for the southernmost tournament. The scheme is identical to the tournament in Minsk: two groups of three teams each and the subsequent drawing of 1st, 3rd and 5th places.

Interestingly, there are two former head coaches of SKA in the Sochi coaching staff: he heads the Leopards Sergey Zubov and helps him Ivan Zanatta. But this is not the main intrigue of the tournament - the Canadian team will come to Sochi. Its current composition is a mystery. But they say that it can be close to the Olympic. In any case, the sign of the match between the Russian Olympic team and the Canadian team (and they ended up in group B together) will be unprecedented for the KHL pre-season tournaments.

It will be no less interesting to look at the new Kunlun. New - not only because of the arrival Mike Keenan, but also because of the powerful transfer campaign of the Chinese club, which took the entire month of June on the market both in quantity and quality. And on August 6, a remake of last year's final awaits the audience: SKA and Metallurg Magnitogorsk will meet on ice.

Cup of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana)

Members: Barys, Avangard, Admiral, Davos, Neftekhimik, Traktor.

In 2017, the Cup of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be held in Astana for the 8th time. Participants will play a round-robin tournament among themselves. Last year Metallurg from Novokuznetsk became the winner, but this time Kuznya will not come to Astana. But the audience is in for a few interesting confrontations: Avangard - Admiral, last year's pair of 1/4 playoffs of the East, Traktor - Barys, who staged a series with a twisted plot at the same stage of the Gagarin Cup.

Well, about Andrey Nazarov in Astana, who headed Barys twice in his career, and there is nothing to say. Considering his adherence to principles, he will definitely try to get the better of Neftekhimik over former team already in the offseason. The participation of the Swiss Davos is also interesting, which last year was fifth in the regular championship of the home league.

Wingas Cup (Kassel, Germany)

Members: Kassel Huskies, Slovan, Vityaz, Dynamo R

The Wingas Cup is a mysterious tournament for the Russian fan, which will be held in the German city of Kassel. However, there is nothing surprising in the choice of venue: it is here that the German gas company Wingas, which is a subsidiary of Gazprom, is based. A year ago, a tournament with that name was held in St. Petersburg, but MHL clubs took part in it.

Now the composition of the participants is of a higher rank - Slovan, Vityaz and Dynamo Riga will go to the federal state of Hesse. Given that the clubs will only roll into the season, it is difficult to name a favorite. But what to expect from the owners, the Kassel Huskies club, is not clear. A team with a rich tradition is now playing in the second strongest German division, and the arrival KHL clubs to her arena is a big event. The formula is the simplest: four participants will play a round-robin tournament, which will determine the winner.

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Good afternoon!!!

Yesterday, both bets on the Neman-Ugra match played very well for me.
Now preseason balance KHL games I have this one:
4 bets +2=0-2 +860 USD
I will make all bets on pre-season games at 1000 USD on the 1xBet line.
In today's review, I will analyze the match between Sochi and Traktor, the game starts on July 25 in Payulahti - at 17:00 Moscow time.
For both teams, this will be the second game at the pre-season camp in Finland.
Let me remind you that Tractor lost 1-5 to Neftekhimik in the first match, where he played with the youth team.

Once again, it is worth noting that Koltsov, Yakutsenya, Francouz, Demchenko, Borodkin, Shinin, Alexei Petrov, Bailen, Vishnevsky, Klimontov, Yuri Petrov, Chernikov, Widell, Shchekhura, Polygalov, Brule and Kruchinin.

Chelyabinsk head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin commented on the result of the meeting for Traktor's official website:
- As planned, we fielded the youth team for the first game of the pre-season, let the guys feel the level of the KHL. We played in three full lines so that our youth would be more loaded, get more playing time, so that the guys would try to keep up the pace, play in short shifts. The match was of a training nature, but left many questions: on tactics, on the dedication of some hockey players. However, this is the preseason, the first game. Perhaps our guys were dominated by emotions at times.
We will continue to work, to establish interaction, to explain to our young players what we want from them. Those who understand, who will rebuild - we will connect to work with the main team already in the season. I will add that the team receives serious workloads. As I said, here and now we have a lot of work going on. But I want to note that everyone is sympathetic to the two-time workouts, they give all the best to them completely.

Sochi started the game part of the preseason with a victory. In the first match of summer 2017, the Leopards beat the team from Nizhnekamsk with a score of 5-2 and made an excellent gift to their coach S. Zubov on his birthday. For me, this is a rather unexpected result, given that Neftekhimik played in this match in his combat squad.
In this match, Sochi played the following combinations and numbers:
44. Shikin (1. Bolshakov);
25. Khomitsky (C) - 80. Shields, 10. Wellman - 18. Collins - 34. Lapenkov;
73. Pedan - 92. Miromanov, 27. Shchegolkov - 75. Ivanov (A) - 49. Boychuk;
66. Vorobyov - 2. Aleksandrov, 12. Padakin - 19. O'Dell (A) - 82. D. Maltsev;
15.Titov - 53.Khokhlov, 47.Grebenshchikov - 16.Tomilin - 95.Morozov.
Washers scored:
1:0. Wellman (Lapenkov, Collins) - 02:04-bol., 2:0. Collins (Lapenkov, Wellman) - 03:25-bol., 2:1. Rau (Sexton, Sergeev) - 35:55-bol., 3:1. O "Dell - 38:26-ShB, 3:2. Sexton (Ganzl, Sergeev) - 49:15-ball., 4:2. Grebenshchikov (Tomilin, Vorobyov) - 50:05, 5:2. Padakin (D .Maltsev, Aleksandrov) - 57:48-p.v.

The results of the meeting in a conversation with the press service of the club summed up Main coach HC Sochi Sergey Zubov:

- I would not say that quick goals predetermined the outcome of the match. Yes, the goals were quick, we earned the majority, but then the opponent seized the initiative, we were crushed. We managed to survive in the minority several times, and at the end of the second period we already added a little. In general, the game was rather difficult for us, somewhere the opponent was superior in movement. We used our chances, played well in defence, worked in our own area and due to this we got such a result.
- Will we see other players and other combinations in the game with Traktor?
- Yes, sure. We will try to make full use of our current roster that we have at this camp. We want to see all the guys and hope that they will show what they are capable of.

HC Sochi did not play the main goalkeeper in this match Barulin and two new legionnaires Ryan Garbutt And Simon Enerud.
I wrote about other changes in the composition of HC Sochi in my blog before the match with Neftekhimik.
/best-posts/predsezonka-v-khl/
Sochi in this match really liked the trio of the newcomers of the team Wellman - Collins - Lapenkov, who scored 2 quick goals in the majority. It is also worth noting O'Dell, who beautifully scored a shootout and the young player Padakin, who scored a goal into an empty net, who celebrated his birthday the day before.

The upcoming match is expected to be very interesting for all fans of teams and hockey fans. In this game, I think both coaches should set up the main squads and check all their legionnaires. Traktor's roster promises to be an order of magnitude stronger. After all, a number of very interesting and productive players joined Traktor's roster in the off-season.

OFF-SEASON with Alexey SHEVCHENKO

Pre-season tournaments start tomorrow, in which the results, although not very important, cannot be treated with indifference. Here's a sneak peek at what to watch out for in August.

STRONGEST

From August 3, the best tournament of this summer will be held, in which, in addition to the local team, CSKA, SKA and the Olympic team. In fact, it will be an informal meeting of the national team, at least for the Eurotour and the World Cup. It is interesting to look at "Sochi". This year it's been crazy. Two trains left, and four arrived. CSKA will show what the club has become after the loss of four important players. Dmitry Kvartalnov says that everything is in order, but who would not say such things in his place. And, of course, SKA. Note that despite the World Cup and the World Championship with Oleg Znarok will ask for club work. And many do not understand how he dispose of such a team.

SOCHI HOCKEY OPEN
Sochi, August 3 - 6
Members: HC "Sochi", CSKA, SKA, Russia (olymp.)

MOST PARTY

The tournament in Nizhny Novgorod is my favorite. All teams settle in a hotel near the arena, there is enough space for everyone, the teams are diverse, not only oligarchs, but also middle peasants. No best place to find out all the news and rumors about Russian hockey. It is even a pity that this year I will not be able to visit this tournament. From a hockey point of view, there is something to see. We'll see what we've done Alexander Gulyavtsev after starting work in "Severstal". What came up "Locomotive" not wanting to repeat the mistakes of last season. How Peteris Skudra brought up his evil team, which is ready to bite and tear every opponent ( "Jokerite" last year they had a bite). There is not a single uninteresting match at the Governor's Cup of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, but the most important will take place in the hotel lobby.

CUP OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION
Nizhny Novgorod, August 1-7
Members: Ak Bars, Dynamo (Riga), Neftekhimik, Severstal, Lokomotiv, Torpedo

THE STRANGEST

Moscow "Dynamo" organizes a tournament that few people are interested in Judge for yourself. Headliners are non-favourite hosts and "Spartacus", which frankly disappointed last season. Next to them - Minsk "Dynamo" And Balashikha "Dynamo"". It's generally strange when a VHL club plays together with elite teams. I could play there "Amur", but something happened and the Far East club did not receive an invitation. He, by the way, will remain the only one of the Russian teams who will not play in any of the tournaments. If we return to the Chernyshev memorial, then it is unlikely to be visited and will provide answers to most questions. Just because the Moscow clubs will play in Moscow again later.

CHERNYSHEV MEMORIAL
Moscow ("Park of Legends"), August 4 - 7
Members: Dynamo (Moscow), Spartak (Moscow), Dynamo (Minsk), Dynamo (Balashikha, VHL)

THE MOST UNDERSTOOD

"Barys" this season, he will do everything to win the Cup of the President of Kazakhstan without fail. Among his rivals "Admiral", "Kunlun" And "Metallurg" from Novokuznetsk. It must be said that in many tournaments the hosts "should" win. So on Anvara Gatiyatulina pressed about the indispensable success at the tournament in Chelyabinsk a month ago. But no one has done more than the organizers of the matches in Astana. From intrigue - an inevitable fight Damira Ryspayeva With Alexander Picard.

CUP OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
Astana, August 8 - 11
Members: Metallurg (Novokuznetsk), Barys, Admiral, Kunlun

THE MOST POWERFUL

A cool tournament will be held in Magnitogorsk, where four equal teams will take part. Confrontation "Siberia" And "Vanguard", as well as the Chelyabinsk derby will be stubborn. Here all the attention to Omsk. Team Evgeniya Kornoukhova has changed. Resigned Alexander Popov, A Vladimir Sobotka still going in spirit to redeem the contract. Kornoukhov has already made it clear that some guys "go out to play hockey" and two failures at the training camp in the Czech Republic took away the right to defeat from the Omsk team.

MEMORY TOURNAMENT I.Kh. ROMAZAN
Magnitogorsk, August 13 - 16
Members:"Siberia", "Tractor", "Vanguard", "Metallurg" (Magnitogorsk)

MOST BORING

Five teams gather in Tolyatti, and you need to have willpower to watch at least a couple of meetings. Perhaps someone will be tempted to confront "Ugra" - "Motorist" but you have to be honest. It is only interesting there whether the age team from Khanty-Mansiysk has enough strength to play to the end. By the way, you know what's over Pavel Ezovskikh the clouds are already gathering. Here is your intrigue. She is alone in this tournament.

CUP FRET
Togliatti, August 14 - 18
Members:"Lada", "Kunlun", "Barys", "Ugra", "Motorist"

THE MOST SAD

Teams will gather in Riga, where they look at journalists as enemies. "AK Bars" And "Locomotive" in general, they would be happy to ban the press - it only hinders them. There was a joyful atmosphere in Minsk for only one year, but after being detained Vladimir Berezhkov hockey players just closed their eyes, passing through the mixed zone, and if they stopped, they only talked about hockey.

LATVIAN RAILWAY CUP
Riga, August 14 - 17
Members: Ak Bars, Lokomotiv, Dynamo (Minsk), Dynamo (Riga)

OTHER TOURNAMENTS

CUP OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE CHELYABINSK REGION
Chelyabinsk, August 4 - 7
Members:"Tractor", "Metallurg" (Magnitogorsk), "Motorist", "Ugra"

MOUNTFIELD CUP
Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic), August 5-7
Members: Salavat Yulaev, Avangard, Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic), Pardubice (Czech Republic)

STEEL CUP
Trshinec (Czech Republic), August 11-14
Members: Slovan, Vitkovice (Czech Republic), Linköping (Sweden), Trinec (Czech Republic)

TOURNAMENT IM. N.G. PUCHKOVA
St. Petersburg, August 15 - 18
Members: Severstal, SKA, Jokerit, Sochi

MOSCOW MAYOR'S CUP
Moscow ("Megasport"), August 15 - 18
Members: Dynamo (Moscow), Vityaz, Spartak, CSKA

CUP OF THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN
Ufa, August 16 - 19
Members: Metallurg (Novokuznetsk), Admiral, Salavat Yulaev, Neftekhimik

TOURNAMENT OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF HC DUKLA (JIGLAVA)
Jihlava (Czech Republic), August 15 - 19
Members: Olomouc (Czech Republic), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Dukla (Czech Republic), Torpedo

2019 All rights reserved and protected by law.

Starts August 24th big hockey will return to Russian cities much earlier. The first of nine pre-season tournaments starts this Saturday. We present a guide to summer hockey.

Cup of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

Members: Ak Bars (Kazan), Lada (Tolyatti), Lokomotiv (Yaroslavl), Neftekhimik (Nizhnekamsk), Salavat Yulaev (Ufa), Torpedo (Nizhny Novgorod).

Whom to look at: first of all, Salavat Yulaev. Emelin and Weisfeld gathered an interesting line-up, but the first pre-season matches did not work out for the Yulaev team. In any other case, Ufa fans could not rush to conclusions and wait for the home tournament, but this summer they decided not to hold the Cup of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Thus, it is in Nizhny Novgorod that one can see the contours of one of the favorites of the Eastern Conference. Standing apart in the schedule of the first pre-season tournament is the “big green derby”, which should sparkle with new colors in the upcoming championship. Not only are the matches between Kazan and Ufa interesting in any weather and the state of eternal rivals, Ak Bars is also the current winner of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Governor's Cup. However, Lokomotiv and the hosts of the tournament, who also significantly shook up the composition in the offseason, should impose a worthy competition on the two “green” teams.

Cup of the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region

Members: Avangard (Omsk), Avtomobilist (Yekaterinburg), Metallurg (Magnitogorsk), Traktor (Chelyabinsk).

Another "governor's" pre-season tournament will be held in Chelyabinsk. Andrey Nikolishin, who complained last season about the poor functional training of his wards, will show the product in person. This time, the team is being prepared not by some Finn, but by an ambitious repeat coach. He, as well as two Kakhael debutants Evgeny Kornoukhov and Andrey Razin will take an exam to a Canadian teacher from Magnitogorsk. Kornoukhov made a golden double in the MHL, and Razin reached the finals in the VHL with Izhstal, but they have not yet encountered a counterpart of the caliber of Mike Keenan on their coaching path. Iron Mike, who settled down after moving to Russia, may well recognize in Razin his young self - the same emotional and uncompromising coach, ready for the most unexpected things. The pre-season tournament is not the best time to tear your shirt on your chest, but what the hell is not kidding?

Tournament named after Arkady Chernyshev

Members: Amur (Khabarovsk), Dynamo (Minsk), Dynamo (Moscow), Spartak (Moscow).

The Mayor's Cup was not enough for the capital, and this summer another pre-season tournament appeared in Moscow. The organizer was Dynamo Moscow, which dedicated it to their great coach Arkady Chernyshev. The participants of the tournament were teammates of the blue and white from the capital of Belarus, the principal rival of the Dynamo in the face of Spartak, as well as Amur, a representative of the Chernyshev division. This summer, you can find more high-profile tournaments, but the Dynamo tournament has its own chips, for which it is worth paying attention to it. First of all, this is the launch of the Arena of Legends, which will open its doors to a wide range of fans for the first time. The second feature of the Chernyshev tournament lies in the overtime format. On the ice of the Arena of Legends, the teams will try out the 3-on-3 formation, which has been introduced in the NHL since this season. Who knows, maybe the experiment will be recognized as successful and from the 2016/17 season the KHL will follow in the footsteps of its North American colleagues, and the participants in the Moscow tournament will become pioneers?

Cup of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Members:"Admiral" (Vladivostok), "Barys" (Astana), "Metallurg" (Novokuznetsk), "Ugra" (Khanty-Mansiysk).

At first glance, this is not the most representative tournament. From four teams, who will play in Astana, only the hosts made it to the playoffs following the results of the last season. Nevertheless, the Cup of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan can answer some interesting questions. All four teams have changed helmsmen this off-season, meaning that Andrievsky, Sagymbaev, Solovyov and Ezovsky present the fruits of their creative research. Intriguing new meeting Christian Kudroch and Yaroslav Alshevsky. Recall that a year ago, at the same place and at the same time, the forward of Neftekhimik hit the Slovak in the head and left him without hockey for a whole year. Now Yaroslav and his twin brother are playing for Admiral, and the two-meter defender has received carte blanche from the management of Kuznya. It is still unknown which stadium will host the Astana tournament, but if the builders manage to deliver the new 12,000-seat Astana Arena on time, this will become an event of Kakhael scale.

Moscow Mayor's Cup

Members: Vityaz (Moscow region), Dynamo (Moscow), Spartak, CSKA (Moscow).

The traditional Moscow tournament will have to compete with the newly minted Dynamo project. However, on paper, the composition of the Mayor's Cup looks preferable to the Chernyshev tournament. As it usually happens, Moscow and Moscow region teams take part in the Mayor's Cup. This off-season, metropolitan spectators are at risk of experiencing a lack of yellow shades - Atlant has ceased to exist and, accordingly, will not play in the tournament. But the Mayor's Cup-2015 will be the place where the revived Spartak will take its first steps. In order not to lose face, German Titov will have to correct those burrs and roughness that are inevitable when building a team from scratch. Classic derbies with CSKA and Dynamo are what the doctor ordered to test readiness for the championship.

Lada Cup

Members:"Admiral", "Lada", "Neftekhimik", "Salavat Yulaev".

The Tolyatti tournament is a stripped-down version of the Cup of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Three teams at once - "Lada", "Neftekhimik" and "Salavat Yulaev" - will first play in Nizhny, and a week later they will meet again, already in another Volga city. Why not a chance to take revenge on a recent offender and show that you are better prepared for the season? Yes, only really powerful teams in the Lada Cup are clearly lacking. Ak Bars or Lokomotiv would take this tournament to a new level, but instead of top clubs, the fourth participant will be a team from Vladivostok, which is only on its way to the top. However, for a tournament that has resumed after a long break, this selection of participants can be considered acceptable. You have to start with something. But next year, when Lada celebrates its 40th anniversary, it will be possible to think about inviting eminent guests.

Memorial named after Ivan Romazan

Members: Avangard, Avtomobilist, Metallurg (Magnitogorsk), Siberia (Novosibirsk), Tractor.

The oldest pre-season tournament in Russia deserves special attention, regardless of the composition of the participants. Moreover, the 24th memorial of Romazan promises to be at least as good as the previous one. Avangard replaced Salavat Yulaev, and Avtomobilist joined the traditional four. It is too early to draw conclusions about the selection work of Oleg Gross in Yekaterinburg, but he definitely knows how to negotiate participation in representative tournaments. Recall that Avtomobilist will take part not only in the Romazan memorial, but also in the New Year's Eve Spengler Cup. As for the intrigues that are hidden behind the screen of the Magnitogorsk tournament, the abundance of derbies for every taste attracts attention. Here is the meeting of two Siberian teams, and the Chelyabinsk-Magnitogorsk confrontation, and one should not forget about the old scores of Avangard and Magnitogorsk, which have been dragging on since the 2004 final.

Latvian Railway Cup

Members: Ak Bars, Dynamo (Minsk), Dynamo (Riga), Lokomotiv.

Ak Bars and Lokomotiv are not only the first finalists in the history of the Gagarin Cup, but also inseparable teams in the 2015 off-season. Kazan and Yaroslavl will first meet on Nizhny Novgorod ice, and then together they will reach the finish line of pre-season training in Riga. It will be interesting to see how synchronously "leopards" and "railroad" will pass the distance of the regular season. Obviously, the team of Zinetula Bilyaletdinov and the regulars of the Riga tournament are the favorites of the LZD Cup. Nevertheless, the hosts of the tournament may come up with a surprise. Kari Heikkila is well aware that work at Dynamo Riga is the last chance to restore his reputation. To beat the Yaroslavl club, with which the Finnish coach reached the final twice, means to apply for a new successful round in his career.

Tournament named after Nikolay Puchkov

Members: Jokerit (Helsinki), Severstal (Cherepovets), SKA (St. Petersburg), HC Sochi.

St. Petersburg will see a pre-season tournament of its own production for the second year in a row. Last summer it returned from non-existence and became traditional again. The Puchkov Tournament is distinguished by the stability of the composition of participants, which is unique for pre-season tournaments. Jokerit, Severstal, SKA and HC Sochi met in the Northern capital a year ago, and they will meet now, a week before the start of the regular season. The return of the local tournament was a good omen for the "soldiers" from the banks of the Neva, who won the championship title for the first time in their history. In the event that SKA work superstitious people- they should try to take the last place. It is in the fourth position that the wards Vyacheslav Bykov finished at the previous Puchkov tournament. However, the new head coach of St. Petersburg may not agree with such a formulation of the issue. Andrey Nazarov has been under pressure from skeptics since his first day at SKA, and he has something to prove.

Let's not forget the Olympics! Introducing all preseason KHL tournaments

Who, where and when plays hockey in August

August for KHL clubs is the period of general rehearsals before the start of the season, in which national teams will also take part. Everything about who plays hockey anywhere in August is in our review.

SOCHI HOCKEY OPEN

Time: August 3-8. Participants: Russian Olympic team, Ak Bars, Lokomotiv, Kunlun Red Star, HC Sochi, SKA.

The Korean Olympics with hockey gold is left behind. The task seems to have been completed. However, the tradition has remained unchanged - our Olympic team will perform at the summer tournament in Sochi, where leading players from many KHL clubs have already been invited.

It is clear that SKA, which is headed by the coach of the Russian national team Ilya Vorobyov, will play there as well. And therefore, a double burden will fall on the mentor of the St. Petersburg army men there - it will be necessary to monitor both his team and the nearest reserve to the national one. It takes four eyes!

Is it necessary to pull players to the Olympic team from clubs in the midst of summer training three and a half years before the next Games? Here you can argue. On the eve of the Olympic tournament, such gatherings are, of course, necessary. But the leadership of our hockey decided to prepare the sleigh in the summer of 2018 for the winter of 2022. And the main plus is that any participation of the national team in the summer tournament sharply raises its level.

CUP OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION

Time: August 5-11. Participants: Torpedo, Dynamo (Moscow), Avtomobilist, Spartak, Dynamo (Riga), Dynamo (Minsk).

In terms of composition, the competition in Nizhny Novgorod is one of the most interesting. Here and seriously strengthened white-and-blue, and gaining power red-white, and the Urals, which are recorded in advance in the leaders of the East ... Well, Minskers and Rigans give the tournament an international status within the KHL. A solid company for Torpedo, which has completely renewed its coaching staff and most of the team.

By the way, this tournament was established in 2009 by the former governor of Nizhny Novgorod Valery Shantsev, who now holds the post of general director of Dynamo Moscow. And the blue and white have never won this summer Cup. Will it work this time?

CUP OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Time: August 9-12. Participants: Barys, Neftekhimik, Amur, Kazakhstan national team.

Another tournament where the national team will take part is the national team of Kazakhstan. And his main intrigue, perhaps, is that Andrey Nazarov's combat "Neftekhimik" will come to Astana. In the past, a well-known coach led both Barys and the team based on it, but was fired. So the meetings with these teams for Nizhnekamsk "wolves" will be fundamental. We are waiting for unprecedented fierce fights for the summer!

HOCKEYADES

Time: August 13-16. Participants: CSKA, Rouen Dragons (France), Davos, Lausanne, Geneva-Servette (all - Switzerland).

In the Russian-language reading, the name of the tournament looks creepy. But I hope that it will not become a hockey hell for CSKA. The army team on it is the only Russian team. And she will have to wrestle with strong Swiss clubs. French "dragons" are rather exotic in this respectable company.

It seems that the head coach of CSKA Igor Nikitin is not in a hurry to show his cards to his rivals from the KHL, preferring to start preparing for the season in immigration.

CUP OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE CHELYABINSK REGION

Time: August 14-18. Participants: Traktor, Metallurg, Avangard, Salavat Yulaev.

This summer, all eyes are on Avangard, which is in deep trouble due to problems with its home arena. The new boss of the Omsk club, Maxim Sushinsky, assured that this state of emergency did not affect the preparation of the team for the season. In Chelyabinsk, the "hawks" will have to prove it.

MEMORIAL OF ZBYNEK KUSHA

Time: August 16-19. Participants: Slovan, Admiral, Dynamo (Czech Republic), Icebaren (Germany).

This short tournament with some stretch can be considered as a summer review of European hockey. After all, clubs from four powers will take part in it at once. Russia is represented by "Admiral". We hope that the fleet will not let you down!

LEHNER CUP 2018

Time of the event: August 17-19. Participants: Vityaz, Ambri-Piotta (Switzerland), Mannheim (Germany).

Approximately the same situation will be and "Vityaz" at the tournament in Switzerland.

LATVIAN RAILWAY CUP

Time of the event: August 21-26. Participants: Dynamo (Riga), Lokomotiv, Ak Bars, Dynamo (Minsk), Davos (Switzerland).

Despite the fact that the tournament will be held in Riga, the main fight will be between Lokomotiv and Ak Bars. Will the reigning champion stand up to one of the leaders of the West?

ROMAZAN MEMORY TOURNAMENT

Magnitogorsk did not invite overly formidable opponents to the home tournament. And, in theory, it should confidently win on it. Well, hockey gourmets will be happy to watch the form in which the best goal scorer of our hockey Sergey Mozyakin approached the season.

CUP OF THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN

Time: 25-28 August. Participants: Salavat Yulaev, Barys, Avtomobilist, Neftekhimik.

All four teams in the tournament in Ufa claim to the playoffs and are probably aimed at a long fight there. Summer review - another test on the topic "Who is the boss in the East?".

MAYOR'S CUP

The unofficial summer championship of Moscow and the Moscow region, as always, will bring together quite a few fans in the capital's arena. It is difficult to predict favorites on it. But an uncompromising struggle is easy. If only there were fewer injuries than last year!

PUCHKOV TOURNAMENT

Time: 23-27 August. Participants: SKA, Severstal, Avangard, HC Sochi, Jokerit, Kunlun Red Star.

Revived in the summer of 2014, the tournament can be considered the official opening hockey season in St. Petersburg. Over the past four years, it has been won twice by SKA and Jokerit. Who will be the toughest this time around?

source: "Soviet Sport"

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