Oleg Zanork is a new Russian team Head Coach

RIA Novosti Media centre hosted press confenrence dedicated to presenting new Head coach of the Russian National team - Oleg Znarok - and General manager of the Russian National team - Andrey Safronov. It was headed by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretyak and Executive director Valery Fesyuk.  

Vladislav Tretyak:

- The day before yesterday Minister of sport of the Russian Federation welcomed us and approved of this nomination. Now we are one team. Oleg Znarok amd Andrey Safronov have successful experience. I would like to express gratitude to Arkadiy Rotenderg for accepting this situation with deep understanding that enabled us to sign a 4 year contract with the new coach. General Manager will be working in liason with Head Coach on a permanent basis. He will be participating in building up a team and will share responsibility for the outcome. Lets wish success to our tandem. 

I am glad that new head coach shares our views on the projects that we initiated. One of them is creating a junior team for players of 1997 and 1998 years of birth. It will be under total control of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and will take part in the Junior Ice Hockey League regular season. We want to prevent young players' migration to Canadian and US junior hockey leagues. 

Oleg Znarok:

- I want to thank RIHF for the opportunity to become Head coach of the National team. Responsibility is high, huge work is ahead of me. It is another challenge for me now. If we unite our efforts for the sake of Russian ice hockey development we will succeed.