Astana, Kazakhstan - To continue
with the theme of "countries most people are shocked to find out play hockey",
Kazakhstan is one of the better ones. Celebrating 20 years of being part of the
IIHF, the Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation will send a team to the 2013 World
U20 Junior Ice Hockey Championships to compete at the Division 1 Group B level.
After sliding from the Top Division in 2009, they look to climb the ladder once
again.
Team Kazakhstan:
IIHF Record: 47-48-6
Division: I
Group: B
2012 Final Results: Division I Group B Second Place (3-2-0)
Head Coach: Yerlan Sagymbayev (KAZ)
Kazakhstan has a troubled hockey history. After flying under
the radar for the first few years, some big name players found their way into
the NHL; including Evgeni Nabokov and Nikolai Antropov to name a couple. That,
along with the introduction of the Kontinental Hockey League team, Barys
Astana, the sport began to boom and has now become the second most popular
sport in the world's largest landlocked country.
However, as positive as this is, the country has had a
difficult time getting its citizens to represent them. As with all Soviet
invaded countries, upon the relinquishment of the USSR all satellites are
allowed to compete for Russia. Nabokov was one of those players that have
always elected to accept that offer whenever given the opportunity. On the
other hand, now that the sport is gaining recognition and players like Antropov
have decided to wear the baby blues, it is becoming less of an issue.
Since Kazakhstan was able to stunt the fall of seasons past,
expect another competitive team to show up for the WJHC in Ukraine this year.
It won't be a street of gold for them though as the only player of recognition,
goalie Pavel Poluektov, has aged out. But with a strong farm system and several
returners, everything should level out just fine for the Kazakhs.
For previous team articles, click the links below
Italy: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75737
Poland: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75603
Croatia: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75580
Ukraine: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75568
Division II Group A: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75508
Japan: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75492
Lithuania: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75484
Hungary: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75413
Spain: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75363
Netherlands: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75309
Romania: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75295
Division II Group B: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75279
South Korea: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75268
Estonia: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75257
Serbia: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75227
Belgium: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75213
Australia: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75194
Iceland: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75154
Division III: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75142
Bulgaria: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75132
New Zealand: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75122
China: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75097
Turkey: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75086
Mexico: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75075
United Arab Emirates: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75668
New Format for Top Division: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75689
Dates & Locations: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75656
Intro to 2013 WJHC: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75064
Matt Prosser, Beat
Writer for JuniorHockey.com and host of the upcoming show: Junior Hockey
Central. Founder of Fifty8
Productions and freelance writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Voice of
California State University, Sacramento Hockey and host of The Sports Cycle
with Matt Prosser on KSSU1580 Sacramento. For questions, writing ventures, or
advertising/sponsorships for the show please e-mail Matt@Fifty8productions.com. Follow
on Twitter @MattProsser58 or
visit www.Fifty8Productions.com.
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