We congratulate Grigory Savelyev!

In the family of Georgy Savelyev, who lived in Bykov, near Moscow, in the 1940s, May 9th was always a double celebration. While they celebrated Victory Day alongside the rest of the country, they also marked the birth of their son Grigory on the 9th of May 1945 - the day when the Great Patriotic War ended!

Grigory subsequently became a hugely successful ice hockey coach and helped talented players take the next step. For example, Maxim Yakutsenya began his ice hockey journey with Savelyev with local time Metallurg Serov, with the forward later going on to win medals of the national championship with Avangard Omsk and Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Nikita Shchitov also played for Metallurg (pictured together with Savelyev). Thanks to Savelyev's coaching efforts, Shchitov eventually made 500 appearances during his lengthy KHL career!

And in the life of two-time world champion Evgeny Medvedev there was a period of playing for Serov’s Metallurg. For him, too, collaboration with Savelyev was an important step on the path to the heights of mastery. Futhermore, two-time world champion Evgeny Medvedev also spent time playing for Metallurg Serov under the leadership of Savelyev.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation wishes Grigory health, happiness and a very happy birthday!