Turkmenistan men's national ice hockey team
Turkmenistan's national men's ice hockey team, debuting in 2018.
The Turkmenistan men's national ice hockey team represents the country in international play. The national squad is run by the Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Federation, which is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. As of the latest rankings, the team sits 42nd in the world and 12th in Asia. Turkmenistan first appeared at an IIHF World Championship in the 2018 Division III Qualification tournament.
The first national team was put together in 2011, drawing players from four Ashgabat clubs: Oguzkhan, Alp Arslan, Shir, and Burgut. In 2013, the team played its first unofficial match, beating a side from Minsk City 7–2. Turkmenistan entered the 2017 Asian Winter Games and won its first official tournament game, defeating Malaysia 9–2. The team then took the division gold by beating Kyrgyzstan 7–3. At the 2018 World Championship debut in Sarajevo, Turkmenistan swept all three games to earn promotion to Division III for 2019. In April 2019, playing in Sofia, Bulgaria, the team finished third out of six in its group at the Division III tournament, a historic result. Later that year, from late August to early September, retired Russian player Sergei Nemchinov ran an intensive training camp in Ashgabat and then joined the coaching staff, drawing up a preparation plan for the 2020 Division III Group A tournament.
Head coaches have included Rustam Kerimov (2013–2016), Bayram Allayarov (2016–2024), and Ilýas Weliýew (starting in 2025). The roster for the 2025 Asian Winter Games is led by head coach Ylýas Weliýew.
Quick Facts
- Association
- Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Federation
- Coach
- Ahmed Gurbanov
- Asst Coach
- Guwançmyrat Jepbarow
- Captain
- Amangeldi Aganiyazov
- Most Games
- Dovlet Hydyrov / Alexander Vahovsky (42)
- Top Scorer
- Baymyrat Baymyradov (28)
- Most Points
- Alexander Vahovsky (53)
- Home Stadium
- Winter Sports Complex Ashgabat
- Iihf Code
- TKM
- Iihf Max
- 42
- Iihf Max Date
- 2025
- Iihf Min
- 49
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The first national team formed in 2011 from four teams in Ashgabat: Oguzkhan, Alp Arslan, Shir and Burgut. In 2013, Turkmenistan held its first unofficial match against Minsk City, winning 7–2. The team participated at the 2017 Asian Winter Games, winning its first official tournament match by defeating Malaysia 9–2, and later won its division by defeating Kyrgyzstan 7–3 in the gold medal game. Turkmenistan made its World Championship debut in 2018 in Division III Qualification in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning all three games and earning promotion to Division III for 2019. In April 2019, the team debuted in the 2019 IIHF World Championship Division III in Sofia, Bulgaria, taking third place among six teams. From 30 August to 7 September 2019, Russian retired ice hockey player Sergei Nemchinov conducted intensive training with the team in Ashgabat, then entered the coaching staff and prepared a plan for the 2020 IIHF World Championship Division III Group A.
Reader's Guide
The Turkmenistan men's national ice hockey team represents a relatively new but rapidly developing hockey nation. Formed in 2011 from local Ashgabat clubs, the team achieved early success by winning its division at the 2017 Asian Winter Games. Its World Championship debut in 2018 resulted in immediate promotion, and the following year it secured a historic third-place finish in Division III. The involvement of Russian veteran Sergei Nemchinov in 2019 as a trainer and later coaching staff member underscores the team's commitment to improvement. The team is controlled by the Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Federation and is a member of the IIHF. Its current ranking of 42nd in the world and 12th in Asia reflects its growing competitiveness on the international stage.
Did You Know?
- The first national team formed in 2011 from four Ashgabat teams: Oguzkhan, Alp Arslan, Shir, and Burgut.
- Turkmenistan won its first official tournament match at the 2017 Asian Winter Games, defeating Malaysia 9–2.
- The team earned promotion to Division III after winning all three games at its 2018 World Championship debut in Sarajevo.
- Russian retired player Sergei Nemchinov conducted training with the team in Ashgabat from 30 August to 7 September 2019.
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