XI International Tournament of KHL Children's Teams “Gazprom Neft Cup. "Gazprom Neft Cup": everything is grown-up here! Gazprom hockey tournament

From April 20 to 25, Omsk and Sochi will host the Gazprom Neft Cup for the 12th time - a tournament for eleven-year-old players, organized according to the highest standards of professional hockey

FROM MANNHEIM TO VLADIVOSTOK

February 25, 57th minute of the match Olympic tournament between the national teams of Russia and Germany. Jonas Müller's shot and the puck flies into Vasily Koshechkin's goal. The German team is rejoicing, the commentators are perplexed as to why the Bundesteam, which previously did not really grab stars from the sky, comes from such audacity. One can only envy the insight of the organizers of one of the largest children's competitions in Europe - the Gazprom Neft Cup and the German and Russian Hockey Federations, who two months before the 2018 Olympics recommended the team " Jungadler Manheim."

Now to the young players of the "Young Eagles", this is how the name is translated from German " Jungadler ", we have to strengthen the reputation of German hockey, albeit at the children's level. And another 25 strongest teams from five countries - Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia and Finland - will have to prove whose school is stronger. Including the debutant from the Far East - "Admiral" The ice battlefields are the Olympic ice of Bolshoi and Iceberg, as well as the center of hockey Siberia - Arena Omsk!

EVERYTHING LIKE IN THE KHL

The Gazprom Neft Cup has the status of the only official children's KHL tournament, but in fact it is even older than the Continental Hockey League - the first draw took place in November-December 2007, when the main club competition in Russia was still called the championship among Super League teams.

True, the first three tournaments attracted a relatively small number of participants - only 6 teams - and had more of a regional status, but this did not stop the organizers from striving for sky-high standards for children's hockey. A new stage in development occurred in 2011, when the Gazprom Neft Cup received the status of a KHL tournament. At the same time, the current, 14-kilogram main trophy of the competition was made - the same masters who gave us the Gagarin Cup and the Continental Cup worked on its creation.

With every draw children's tournament became more and more like the “big brother” of the KHL. His matches began to be shown on the specialized TV channel - KHL TV, professional referees from the country's main hockey league were involved in refereeing at the Gazprom Neft Cup arenas, the number of participants exceeded two dozen, and the organizers had to divide the tournament into two groups - "West" and " East".

The division was not symbolic - the groups actually began to play in different cities. Only one thing remained unchanged - the highest class of arenas. “East” traditionally played all the matches in Omsk, but the Western teams managed to play in Minsk at the Chizhovka Arena, which hosted the 2014 World Cup, in St. Petersburg, where the tournament was held at the Ice Palace and Yubileiny. Since 2016, the West group of the Gazprom Neft Cup has settled in the Olympic arenas of Sochi. Eleven-year-olds take to the ice at the Bolshoi and Iceberg sports palaces and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 2014 Games. The guys from "Jungadler" should feel especially comfortable in the Olympic Adler!

The 11-year age of the tournament participants was not chosen by chance. Photo courtesy of the Gazprom Neft Cup press service

THE PATH TO PROFESSIONALS

The organizers admit that the 11-year age of the tournament participants was not chosen by chance. According to experts, it was at this time that the young hockey player and his parents made the decision to continue building sports career or focus on studying. Participation in such a large-scale competition encourages hundreds of children, and there are over 600 of them in total, to look for their future in hockey further. From year to year, in the stands of the tournament arenas it is possible to organize a real celebration that matches the best shows of matches of adult teams. Sold out at the Bolshoi and Arena Omsk, program for the public, multimedia 3 D performance and opening match to the applause of thousands of spectators.

In the mixed zone, like with adult idols, representatives of the press communicate with them, camera flashes flash. Parents who were unable to make it out to support their children at the tournament follow the fights via online broadcasts with commentary from professional journalists. Even documentaries are being made about the ups and downs of a great ice adventure in the increasingly popular 4K format. And as a souvenir for the participants, not only an album from photographers who work for KHL matches, but also caps, T-shirts and other memorabilia from recent rivals. According to the participants, it is impossible to forget such an atmosphere of your first professional tournament!

SHINE LONGER, OURS STARS

Although the composition of participants changes every year, the organizers closely monitor further career"graduates" of their tournaments. The oldest participants in the Gazprom Neft Cup are now 23 years old - quite young by hockey standards. Nevertheless, we can already be proud of many of them. The very first tournament was attended by Arthur Lauta, Ilya Dervuk, Vladislav Naumov and Egor Yakovlev - quite well-known players even by KHL standards. Lauta won silver medals at the World Youth Championship in 2016, and Dervuk and Yakovlev went to the 2015 Super Series as part of the Russian youth team. Vladislav Naumov has over a hundred matches for Sibir in the KHL.

There are also younger heroes - Artem Manukyan, Alexey Polodyan and Nikolay Knyzhov took part in the 2018 MFM. Danila Galenyuk became the first hockey player born after January 1, 2000, who played in the KHL playoffs; Grigory Denisenko from Lokomotiv made his debut a little later, but managed to show himself well during the series against SKA.

One of the top juniors in all of world hockey, Andrei Svechnikov, also performed at the Gazprom Neft Cup. The Ak Bars student became top scorer tournament in 2011, and after some time they learned about his sniper and assisting abilities overseas.

Another significant result is that in the application of the Russian junior team for the Junior World Championships, which will be held from April 19 to 29 in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, almost half of the hockey players have experience of performing at the Gazprom Neft Cup.

They are especially proud of their hockey dynasties. IN different years sons of famous Russian hockey players- Danny Kulyash, Daniil But, Andrey Mozyakin, Arthur Zaripov and others. And in 2018, Nikita Mikhailov, the grandson of Boris Petrovich Mikhailov, will defend the colors of the three-time champion of the tournament - CSKA. Nikita still has a lot of time ahead to catch up with his famous grandfather, but he needs to start with the Gazprom Neft Cup.

WHAT ARE THE FLAGS IN GUESTS WITH US?

The Gazprom Neft Cup continues to grow and develop - each draw brings with it something new, takes the tournament to the next level of organization, consolidating its status as an informal European Championship U -eleven. And you can talk about the future of the competition in the words of the chief ideologist of the largest international competition in the Old World, chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee, Alexander Dybal: “We have decided that in the future we will expand the number of participants at the expense of countries that are not yet represented in the Kontinental Hockey League, but have a high level development of hockey. National hockey federations will be able to delegate one club from the country to the Gazprom Neft Cup every year." It is quite possible that next year the flags of Tre Krunur and the Maple Leaf will fly under the arches of the Bolshoi, and great confrontations will once again unite the huge hockey family of the whole world in the love of a wonderful sport!

Dmitriy RANEV

430 games
71 teams
3 thousand players
178 thousand fans

The Gazprom Neft Cup is one of the largest international children's hockey tournaments in Europe, held on a divisional model. Children take part in the competition KHL teams in the age category up to 11 years. The tournament is held in two groups - West and East.

"International hockey tournament KHL children's teams Gazprom Neft Cup celebrates its 10th anniversary! The cooperation of the Gazprom group of companies and the KHL made it possible to create not just major children's hockey competitions, but a significant milestone in the career of every boy who chose hockey. Year after year, the number of participants in the Gazprom Neft Cup is growing, the strongest children's groups are joining, and the geography is expanding, which this year has reached the Olympic Sochi. Competitions of this magnitude strengthen the children’s character, strengthen the will to win, and instill dedication and respect for their opponents! Over the ten years of the tournament, young athletes played hundreds of matches, thousands of hockey players gained unique experience of major competitions, and tens of thousands of fans visited the stands of the arenas. The first anniversary opens a new page in the history of the Gazprom Neft Cup - there are still many beautiful and intense ice battles ahead, which, I am sure, will give us new names in the starry horizon of Russian hockey! I congratulate all participants and wish you the most positive impressions from the tournament!”

President of the Kontinental Hockey League Dmitry Chernyshenko:

“Today it is difficult to imagine the hockey season in Russia without the Gazprom Neft Cup, the first truly professional tournament for young hockey players. It takes place immediately after the end of the Kontinental Hockey League playoff games - the most interesting and most intense stage of the championship. Games for the Gagarin Cup serve as a reference point for young tournament participants, a goal to strive for. In the meantime, they pass their first exam in skill and will to win, learn to respect their comrades and rivals, and acquire the qualities inherent in real masters. Today, several sons of KHL hockey players are performing in the Gazprom Neft Cup - this is great, it means that hockey dynasties continue. I hope to see you in a few years best players tournament in the teams of our league. “The Gazprom Neft Cup is the first step into a great hockey life!”

Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom Neft PJSC Alexander Dyukov:

“This year the Gazprom Neft Cup celebrates its first anniversary. Over the course of a decade, from a regional tournament it has turned into the main international children's competition for young athletes aged 10-11 years - this year 26 children's teams from five countries are already participating in the tournament. It is symbolic that for the first time the stage of the “West” group is held in Olympic capital Russia - Sochi. I wish the young participants a fair and uncompromising fight and bright victories!”

Chairman of the tournament organizing committee, member of the board of Gazprom Neft PJSC Alexander Dybal:

“This year we are holding the tenth Gazprom Neft Cup and are proud that one of the cities of the tournament has become Olympic Sochi. For the first time in the history of the tournament, games will be held on ice, where just two years ago the fate of Olympic medals. Traditionally, the final of the tournament will be held in Omsk, which has hospitably provided us with its main arena all these years.

Last years we were on the path of expansion to include children's teams KHL clubs. This year, all league teams with their own children's schools applied to participate in the tournament. Therefore, we can rightfully say that all children’s schools of KHL clubs are now represented in the Gazprom Neft Cup. And as always, the best children's team in the league will win the cup.

I would like to wish positive emotions and a great mood to all tournament participants and fans. See you at hockey!

Watch the documentary about the 10th Gazprom Neft Cup - “Another Life”:

Official accounts of the Gazprom Neft Cup on social networks:

497 games
98 teams
3.6 thousand players
more than 200 thousand fans

Largest in Europe

The Gazprom Neft Cup is one of the largest international children's hockey tournaments in Europe, held on a divisional model. KHL children's teams in the age category up to 11 years old take part in the competition. The tournament is held in two groups - West and East.

The tournament is 11 years old!

For the first time in the 11-year history of the Gazprom Neft Cup, 27 teams from five countries - Finland, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia - took part in the tournament. The children's team of the Sochi club made its debut in the competition. In just 5 days of competition, 67 matches were played, almost 600 young hockey players took to the ice, and 432 goals were scored. Look decisive match 7,700 fans came to the Omsk Arena.

The tournament is hosted by the best ice arenas countries!

The tournament matches were held simultaneously in two cities - Omsk and Sochi. The games of the "West" group were hosted by the Olympic arenas: the Bolshoi Sports Palace and Ice Palace"Iceberg". The teams of the Vostok group played their matches at the Avangard hockey center and at the Omsk Arena. The matches of the Gazprom Neft Cup, the largest hockey competition in Europe for athletes in the age category up to 11 years old, aroused great spectator interest. On April 22, the opening ceremony and the match between Lokomotiv (Yaroslavl) and CSKA (Moscow) at the Bolshoi Sports Palace were attended by more than 7,000 fans. On the same day, the meeting between the Omsk Avangard and the Chelyabinsk Traktor took place in the presence of 9,500 spectators.

Level of adult European tournaments!

The tournament is the main social project of the Gazprom Neft company in the field of development children's sports. The level of organization of the competition corresponds to major European tournaments. The multimedia opening show corresponds to the level of the leading KHL clubs, the opening of the tournament and the Superfinal are broadcast in live KHL-TV channel, and the Match TV channel was again the general partner.

Gazprom Neft Cup

The main trophy of the competition was made by the same craftsmen who made the Gagarin Cup. Every year after the end of the tournament, the name of the winning team is applied to the Gazprom Neft Cup, and the prize is transferred to its new owner for a year. Before the start of the next Tournament, the current champion is awarded a copy of the trophy.

Triple!

On April 26, the teams Salavat Yulaev (East group) and CSKA (West group) met in the Superfinal of the tournament. The winner of the main children's hockey trophy in Europe and the title of three-time winner of the Gazprom Neft Cup was CSKA, which won with a score of 3:0.

Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC Gazprom Alexey Miller:

“The international hockey tournament for children’s teams of the KHL “Gazprom Neft Cup”, having crossed the landmark ten-year mark, continues to develop as the largest children’s hockey competition in Europe.

Highest level organizations and effective cooperation with the KHL ensure that children's competitions are held in accordance with the standards of the professional league. For all teams, participation in the tournament is an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of sports at a young age. highest achievements, gain invaluable experience and, of course, a reason for pride.

The Gazprom Neft Cup unites young players in their quest to learn how to fight and win, to become professional athletes, and in the future - hockey stars. I congratulate all the participants of the XI International Hockey Tournament for children’s teams of the KHL “Gazprom Neft Cup”!

Play beautifully, win with dignity!”

President of the Kontinental Hockey League Dmitry Chernyshenko:

“Over the 11 years that the Gazprom Neft Cup has been held, it has become an integral part of hockey season. The tournament starts immediately after the end of the important stage KHL Championship - final series of the Gagarin Cup. Young players learn from their adult idols not only hockey skills, but also behavior on the ice, adopting the qualities that distinguish true masters. Continuity allows us to preserve and continue the great traditions of hockey in our country and raise a strong team. The names of the participants of the first tournaments have already appeared on the game jerseys of professional teams from the Continental and Youth hockey leagues, and I am sure that from year to year there will be more and more of them. I wish successful performances and the will to win to all participants of the XI Gazprom Neft Cup!”

Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom Neft PJSC Alexander Dyukov:

“In 2017, the Gazprom Neft Cup turns 11 years old. Over the years, it has grown from a regional tournament into the main event of children's hockey in Europe. TO international competitions attracted the attention of the media, fans, specialists, and, of course, young hockey players and their parents. Winning the Cup is prestigious and important! But it is equally important to feel like one hockey family, where opponents, partners and stands are respected. This is a chance to perform on the ice of the best hockey arenas in our country, to take the first step towards professional career and, thanks to the high standards of the Gazprom Neft Cup organization, feel like real stars! I wish success to all tournament participants!”

Chairman of the tournament organizing committee, member of the board of Gazprom Neft PJSC Alexander Dybal:

« International tournament This year the Gazprom Neft Cup has taken another step forward. In native Olympic ice The children's team of the Sochi club makes its debut. We wish the newcomers to perform confidently at the largest children's hockey tournament in Europe!

Our tournament was created so that young hockey players feel the atmosphere of a real international sports festival with an opening show, television broadcasts, its own website and publications in the media. And for the eleventh time, the winner will raise the Cup, which was made by the same craftsmen who made the Gagarin Cup.

The best children's hockey tournament in Europe is waiting for you!

See you at hockey!

Official video of the tournament: All for hockey! All for the Gazprom Neft Cup!

Official accounts of the Gazprom Neft Cup on social networks: