Krylya Sovetov Moscow

Krylya Sovetov
Крылья Советов
Full name

HC Krylya Sovetov

  • Krylya Sovetov – VILS Moscow
    (1999–2000)
  • Zenit Moscow
    (1953–1954)
Nickname(s) "Wings"
Founded 1947
Based in Moscow
Arena Soviet Wings Sport Palace
League

VHL: 2010–2011

  • Vysshaya Liga
    1999–2001, 2003–2006, 2007–2010
  • RSL
    1996–1999, 2001–2003, 2006–2007
  • IHL
    1992–1996
  • Soviet League Class A
    1947–1992

HC Krylya Sovetov or HC Krylya Sovietov (Russian: ХК Крылья Советов; Soviet Wings) was a professional ice hockey team based in Moscow, Russia. The team played in the top divisions of Soviet and Russian hockey.

In 2008 the team was expelled from the Soviet Wings Sport Palace and a new team, MHC Krylya Sovetov was created. PHC Krylya Sovetov played at the Minor Arena and Vityaz Ice Palace in Podolsk until 2010, when the team was reunited with MHC Krylya Sovetov and returned to the Soviet Wings Sport Palace. But after 2011 it was not able to continue to operate as a professional hockey club and withdrew from the championship on all levels.

History

Krylya Sovetov Moscow (Wings of the Soviets, Soviet Wings) was founded in 1947 by the Krylya Sovetov sports society that represented Soviet aircraft industry. During the Soviet era Krylya were among the strongest teams of the ice hockey championship. They were among the Soviet teams that participated in the 1970s-era Super Series tours of North America.

Controversy

In 2008, the owner of the Soviet Wings Sport Palace, the All-Russia Institute of Light Alloys (VILS) (Russian: Всероссийский институт лёгких сплавов (ВИЛС) accused Krylya Sovetov of overdue rent payments. This led to the subsequent eviction of the team. The main team left under president Aleksandr Tretiak's lead and took a name PHC Krylya Sovetov, but Krylya's hockey school, junior subsidiary teams, and other infrastructure opted to remain under the effective ownership of VILS.

After playing one season in Vysshaya Liga VILS team decided to change its affiliation to the Junior League. While PHC Krylya Sovetov failed to qualify for the VHL, a newly created independent league that was supposed to replace Vysshaya Liga. After the KHL president Alexander Medvedev interfered in the conflict the situation was settled and both teams reunited to play in the VHL starting with its 2010–11 season.[1][2] Albeit due to financial hardship the club had to resign from the league in the next season. De facto Krylya ceased to exist as a professional team in 2011.

Honors

Champions

1st Soviet Championship League Championship (2): 1957, 1974
1st USSR Cup (3): 1951, 1974, 1989
1st European Cup (1): 1974
1st Spengler Cup (1): 1979
1st Ahearne Cup (2): 1961, 1968

Runners-up

2nd Soviet Championship League Championship (4): 1955, 1956, 1958, 1975
3rd Soviet Championship League Championship (9): 1950, 1951, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1973, 1978, 1989, 1991
3rd IHL Championship (1): 1993
2nd USSR Cup (2): 1952, 1954
2nd Spengler Cup (1): 1987

Notable alumni

Russia Aleksey Morozov (1993–1997)
Russia Alexander Frolov (2000–2002)
Russia Anton Volchenkov (2001–2002)

References

  1. Контуры Высшей лиги (in Russian). Kontinental Hockey League. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  2. "Крылья" – в ВХЛ (in Russian). Kontinental Hockey League. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.

External links