ICE HOCKEY

ICE HOCKEY, a kind of sport, a team game with clubs and a puck on a specially marked ground. In Bashkortostan, I.h. developed in early 50s of the 20th century. The first hockey teams were set up in 1953 in Ufa. They further comprised Energiya team (renamed Burevestnik in 1956, Gastello — in 1958, Trud — in 1960) to participate in the USSR Championship (B Class) in 1955. Since 1961 Bashkortostan has been introduced by the Salavat Yulayev team at the Championships of the USSR and Russia. In 1969, a Hockey School was founded at the Salavat Yulayev Sports Club. There are a number of venues for I.h. competitions in the Republic: Ufa‑Arena, Palace of Sports, Neftekamsk Ice Palace (since 2006), Salavat Arena in Salavat (since 2007), Gornyak Arena in Uchaly (since 2010), Sterlitamak‑Arena in Sterlitamak (since 2012). Toros (Neftekamsk, since 2006) and Gornyak (Uchaly, since 2017) teams play in the Highest Ice Hockey League, in the Youth ice Hockey League — Tolpar (Ufa, since 2009), in the Women’s Hockey League — Agidel (since 2010). V.V.Bykov became the first Republic I.h Master of Sports of the USSR in 1970. High results at the International Competitions were demonstrated by the Merited Masters of Sport A.L.Vasilevsky, I.F.Gimayev, A.S.Zubarev, I.A.Kravchuk, A.V.Semak, the Masters of Sports International Class, D.V.Afinogenov, S.A.Bushmelyov, D.V.Denisov, A.A.Yemelin, R.M.Muftiyev, B.M.Timofeyev, R.R.Haydarov, A.V.Yakhanov and others. The European Junior Championship (1996), Junior Russia‑Canada Super Series (2007), Champions League (2008—09), World Youth Championship (2013), Junior Club World Cup (2014) were held in Ufa. The I.h. Federation has operated in the RB since 2000. A great contribution to the development of I.h. was made by the Merited Coach of the USSR V.I.Vorobyov, the Merited Coach of Russia M.M.Azamatov, A.N.Yemelin, R.G.Ishmatov, S.M.Mikhalyov, R.M.Suleymanov and others.