Vladislav Tretiak opened the arena named after Viktor Blinov

While visiting Omsk, Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) President Vladislav Tretiak opened the arena named after Olympic champion Viktor Blinov.

The stadium, the oldest in Omsk Region, was indeed reopened after being renovated. It will serve as the home venue for local VHL club Omskie Krylya.

Tretiak attended the ceremony alongside Omsk Region Governor Vitaly Khotsenko, Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Gryzykhin and Deputy Sports Minister of the Russian Federation Mger Gandilyan. Following the completion of the ensuing VHL Petrov Cup playoff match between the hosts and Chelmet Chelyabinsk, Tretiak paid a visit to both teams in their respective dressing rooms.



RIHF President Vladislav Tretiak:

"The Viktor Blinov Sports and Concert Complex is an iconic venue for Omsk. After all, it's inextricably linked to the rise of local hockey and the city's transformation into one of the main development centres of our sport. For the city, it symbolises an entire era and significant victories. Players who competed here have gone on to win multiple World Championships, making a significant contribution to their teams' successes. Many of them have already become excellent coaches, winning national gold in their new roles.

"It's great that Omsk has such respect for its historical heritage and legendary arenas. It's modernisation really has been impressive. In my time, arenas of this calibre only existed in Canada! The conditions for the development of our sport are superb: technical equipment, comfortable dressing rooms and high-quality ice.

"I'm pleased that the infrastructure for Russian hockey is improving, with such modern sporting facilities regularly being built. This stadium is now one of the best in the VHL. I hope that new Kharlamovs, Ovechkins and Bobrovskys will grow up on its ice."