#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. This year’s event will feature hockey legends like Alexey Kasatonov, Valery Kamensky, Alexander Mogilny, and others. Organized by the Night Hockey League, the game will also celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Nornickel company.
The match continues a tradition that began in 2017, bringing legendary players, loved by generations of fans, back to the Arctic. Alongside familiar faces, this year’s game will feature some exciting newcomers. Olympic champion and two-time world champion Ilya Kovalchuk, as well as three-time world champion and five-time Gagarin Cup winner Danis Zaripov, will be making their debut in Norilsk, according to Nornickel Life.
Vladimir Potanin, Nornickel’s president and chairman of the Night Hockey League’s board of trustees, shared his thoughts:
“Charity hockey games in Norilsk have become a beloved tradition and an important part of Nornickel’s legacy. They are our contribution to the future of the region, where sports – and hockey in particular – play a key role in driving local development and helping unlock its athletic potential. Initiatives like these inspire the younger generation, strengthen hockey culture, and create an environment where new champions can thrive. Thanks to projects like this, Russian hockey continues to grow, and Norilsk has become a symbol of its revival”.
Hockey star Ilya Kovalchuk, visiting Norilsk for the first time, said:
“I’ve heard so much about this northern city from hockey legends. I know it’s a city of labor valor and strong hockey traditions”.
The legendary players will also hold masterclasses for young athletes in Norilsk.
Tickets for the game will be available in exchange for voluntary donations. Nornickel will double the total amount raised, with all the money going to support children’s sports organizations in the region.
The game will be broadcast live on the Severny Gorod TV channel on March 14.
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Text: Viсtor Borodin, Photo: Nickolay Shchipko
