Kazakhstan Men's National Ice Hockey Team
The Kazakh men's national ice hockey team is controlled by Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation. Kazakhstan is currently ranked 16th in the world. In their first Olympic Games in 1998, the Kazakhs were able to win their preliminary group, surprising many, and would finish the tournament in 8th place. Their head coach is Andrei Khomutov. The World Junior team played a game in late December 1999 in Carman, Manitoba against the local senior team. The Kazakhs won 7-4. Unlike most European countries, the national team officially began competing against other nations as a member of the IIHF in the 1993 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, one year after being admitted in to the federation.
Since the country's independence in 1992, a total of 27 players have been drafted into the NHL. However Vitaly Kolesnik, who was never drafted, had a brief stint with the Colorado Avalanche.
The hockey system of Kazakhstan is ranked 12th best in the world.
Read more about Kazakhstan Men's National Ice Hockey Team: National Junior U20 Team, 1998 Olympics, World Championship 2012, Olympic Record, Nagano Cup, World Championships Record
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