RIHF seeks to build on Olympic success with Nornickel backing

Nickel and palladium mining and smelting company Nornickel has agreed a deal to partner the Russian Ice Hockey Federation through the next cycle leading up to the 2022 winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nornickel will support the RIHF as it seeks to back up a 2018 winter Olympics campaign in which the men’s Olympic Athletes from Russia team won gold in Pyeongchang.

Vladislav Tretiak, president of the RIHF, said: “In order to become Olympic champions and leaders of the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) ratings, we need to have a good technical base.

“We are focusing on youth ice hockey and the future. We’re happy that (Nornickel chairman and president) Vladimir Potanin has agreed to join us on this journey. With Nornickel, we will become stronger. It’s great that sport and business can help educate the next generation.”