Hockey Week, Gagarin Cup, CSKA – everyone is welcome at VDNKh

At noon, November 28, the pavilion located near the most famous fountain of our country, “Friendship of Peoples,” was crowded with a large and friendly crowd of children dressed in red and blue jerseys of the army hockey club, as well as their parents. Seven-eight-year-old boys, just taking their first steps in this sport at the CSKA children’s sports school, came to see with their own eyes the Gagarin Cup, which their idols have won for the second year in a row.

The most important trophy of domestic hockey will be open for public viewing to everyone for a whole week in the pavilion of the largest domestic oil company, which has been the owner of the CSKA hockey club for 12 years. During this time, the Moscow team, continuing the glorious army traditions, regained its status as the strongest in the Russian championship, winning the Gagarin Cup twice in a row (and three times in total: in 2019, 2022 and 2023).

As part of the Russian national team at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, the backbone of which was CSKA hockey players, in 2018 they returned the gold of the Winter Olympics to Russia.

Young hockey players crowded around the honorary trophy, wanting to take a photo with it as soon as possible and looking forward to the official opening of Hockey Week. Weeks of probably the most popular winter sport in our country, to which they will probably devote their entire lives. And if they choose someone else, then there’s nothing wrong with that – after all, any sport not only strengthens willpower and persistent character in children, but also lays a patriotic foundation, which the honored guests of the event spoke about.

The hockey week was opened as part of the International Exhibition and Forum “Russia” at VDNKh by the sports director of HC CSKA Denis Denisov, world and European champion, former army club defender Alexander Volchkov, as well as multiple Olympic champions in artistic gymnastics Alexey Nemov and Svetlana Khorkina, a famous circus performer artist Askold Zapashny, who are devoted fans of the red and blue.

“Over the past 12 years, our club has built a whole system and philosophy that is aimed at training and educating high-level athletes from childhood. We are laying a patriotic foundation in our youth; we have introduced a hockey player’s code of honor among them. Our students play in teams: MHL “Red Army”, VHL “Zvezda”, where the reserve for the main team is being prepared,” said two-time world and Russian champion, and now one of the leaders of the army club, Denis Denisov.

The theme of proper education of youth in his speech was continued by four-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics Alexey Nemov: “For me, our great hockey players Tretyak, Mikhailov, Fetisov, Larionov, Krutov and Makarov were the motivational star that served me to achieve high sporting goals. For us, these people, these hockey players, showed with their work and talent that there are no limits to human capabilities. Guys, play sports, play hockey. The main thing for you is to believe and love what you do. Work harder and everything will be fine.”

Outstanding gymnast Svetlana Khorkina first of all reminded the guys about the continuity of generations and the inextricable connection of the entire army community: “Many years ago I swore an oath to my favorite club and today I am doing everything possible so that various sports can flourish in the Central Sports Club of the Army, including of course, hockey. Artistic gymnastics provides general physical training, and many guys then go into this sport. And I am very glad that we are helping you.

CSKA is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and Russian hockey is 77,” Khorkina continued. – You, boys, good health, success in all directions, and I also wish to increase the victorious traditions of our great army hockey club. Today here, in the beautiful exhibition complex of Moscow, we are opening Hockey Week.

I wish everyone here to get great emotions, a boost of energy and, of course, set ambitious goals for the coming years. We look forward to future victories from you as part of CSKA,” the words of our champion were drowned in the roar of applause. The boys surrounded Svetlana from all sides, and getting through to her after the end of the official part of the ceremony was not so easy. Nevertheless, we managed to do this and ask her a few clarifying questions.

– It’s quite unexpected to see you, a two-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, at the opening of hockey week…

– Why? I am the first deputy head of CSKA. Therefore, my presence here is not surprising.

– And yet, what other connection exists between hockey and gymnastics?

– The connection is simple – CSKA. Four great words – Central Army Sports Club.

– Okay, do you know how your favorite hockey club is performing this season?

– Yes I know. I’m a hockey fan. I will answer your question this way: I think there is no limit to perfection.

– Do you think CSKA will be able to win the third Gagarin Cup in a row?

– Don’t rush to conclusions – let people compete. The season is long. Why are you and I guessing now? We’re not making bets.

– You’re right. How important is this action for CSKA, and for the entire younger generation of army men?

– Thank you to Rosneft for opening such a wonderful sports pavilion at VDNKh. This company supports hockey, which is not the cheapest sport to play. And the example here for all of us is our President, who is actively involved in physical education, swims in the pool and plays hockey. He shows us all the right direction.

– What assistance, besides financial, should the largest Russian companies and state corporations provide to domestic sports?

– Each sport needs different help. But of course it is needed. Thanks to business support, many more children can be attracted to sports. In addition, this includes the construction of new sports facilities and infrastructure, which today, of course, is not enough, especially swimming pools.

– The main hockey team CSKA also does not have its own ice arena in Moscow?

– It’s high time for CSKA to build its own beautiful hockey temple. I know that it is already being built in the Russian capital.

For boys, the exhibition pavilion is a whole world of freedom. They were able not only to take pictures with the Gagarin Cup, chat with sports legends and get their autographs, but also play table and air hockey, take part in various competitions and quizzes, and go through a real race track on a computer simulator. The guys left clearly happy and asked their parents when they could come here again to meet directly with their idols – the CSKA players.

They and everyone else will have this opportunity on December 1 – All-Russian Hockey Day. However, as CSKA sports director Denis Denisov clarified, the team will not be able to attend in full. The reason is quite simple – a virus that has infected many of the team’s players today. Because of this, the army team was forced to play the last match against Lokomotiv with a youth team.

However, the head coach of the team, the legend of our hockey, three-time winner of the most important trophy of overseas hockey, the Stanley Cup, Sergei Fedorov, as well as the remaining players will definitely attend Hockey Week at VDNKh on this day.

Over the next seven days, visitors to the Rosneft pavilion will be able to learn about the history of Russian hockey, which is inextricably linked with the history of CSKA, about the achievements of the legendary club, about its famous players and coaches. Guests will also enjoy a rich entertainment program: screening of documentaries “CSKA. Beginning” and “First Three”, cheerleader team performances, master classes, hockey quizzes, photo and autograph sessions of sports idols.

In addition, in the exhibition hall on a large screen there will be live broadcasts of army matches in the KHL regular championship with a “live” commentator, and during the breaks of matches there will be quizzes on the history of CSKA with a drawing of valuable prizes.

Let us remind you once again that hockey week will last at VDNKh until December 3.