Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: It’s great that National Team plays in different cities

Head Coach of Russian National Team Zinetula Bilyaletdinov shared his opinion on the upcoming Channel One Cup (December 19-22, Sochi, Ice palace “Bolshoy”):

- Opportunity to hold the tournament in Sochi was quite unexpected for us in particular due to the recent announcement that the “Megasport” Ice Palace was closed for the 2016 World Championship preparation. “Khodynka” won’t be able to host the 2013 Channel One Cup and in this respect idea of holding the tournament  in Sochi gives us very good opportunity to see Olympic Ice Palace in conditions of large international competition on the eve of the Olympic Games.

In general it is great that National Team plays in regions these days. I fully support idea of holding international tournaments in other regions of Russia. This year Channel One Cup will be held in Sochi and within the next few years this tournament will take place in other leading hockey centers of Russia.