CIS national ice hockey team
Short-lived successor to the Soviet ice hockey team.
The CIS national ice hockey team existed for only a few months, bridging the gap between the Soviet Union’s collapse and the creation of new national federations for its former republics. It was essentially the Soviet team under a new name. The team’s most famous achievement came at the 1992 Winter Olympics, where it competed as part of the Unified Team and won the gold medal. The International Ice Hockey Federation later awarded that gold to Russia as the successor state, though the International Olympic Committee does not. After the Olympics, the CIS team was disbanded and replaced by the Russian national team. Over its short life, the team played 13 games, winning 11 and losing 2.
The Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991, just weeks before the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. There was no time to assemble a replacement squad, so the Soviet team essentially competed under the name “Unified Team.” The “CCCP” lettering was removed from their uniforms, leaving blank spaces. Instead of the Soviet anthem, the Olympic Hymn was played, and the Olympic flag replaced the Soviet flag. Many top Soviet players had already left for the NHL, which did not pause for the Olympics, so the team drew from Russian and Swiss leagues. Head coach Viktor Tikhonov, known for his authoritarian style, had to adapt because he no longer had leverage over the players. Despite missing superstars, the team still had strong talent, including veterans Vyacheslav Bykov, Andrei Khomutov, and Alexei Zhamnov. The roster was almost entirely Russian, with only two exceptions: Lithuanian-born Darius Kasparaitis and Ukrainian-born Alexei Zhitnik. Kasparaitis later played for Russia internationally and, in 2017, switched to Lithuania’s national team. Zhitnik represented Russia throughout his career.
In January 1992, the team played three friendlies, beating Austria and Canada 7–2 each, and Italy 4–2. They then entered the Nissan Cup in Switzerland, defeating Finland 6–2 in the semifinals but losing 3–0 to the Swiss hosts in the final. At the Albertville Olympics, they posted a 7–1 record and won the gold medal by beating Canada 3–1 in the final. After the Games, the team was dissolved, replaced by the Russian national team and other national teams for the independent post-Soviet states.
At the 1992 Olympics, the Unified Team roster included 20 skaters and 2 goaltenders.
Quick Facts
- Most Games
- Andrei Khomutov (13)
- Most Points
- Andrei Khomutov (17)
- Iihf Code
- CIS
- First Game
- AUT 2–7 CIS · 1992 · (Feldkirch, Austria; 19 January 1992) · Last international / EUN 3–1 CAN · (Méribel, France; 23 February 1992)
- Largest Win
- FRA 0–8 EUN · (Méribel, France; 14 February 1992)
- Largest Loss
- SUI 3–0 CIS · 1992 · (Rapperswil, Switzerland; 4 February 1992)
- Olympic Apps
- 1
- Olympic First
- 1992
- Olympic Medals
- Gold (1992)
- Record
- 11–2–0
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Soviet Union was dissolved in December 1991, only weeks before the start of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. As a result, there was no time to send a replacement for the Soviet national team, who was expected to compete at the Olympics. In effect, the Soviet team participated, under the name 'Unified Team' and with the 'CCCP' on their uniforms removed, leaving a blank spot. Rather than the Soviet national anthem, the Olympic Hymn was played, and the Olympic flag was used instead of the Soviet flag. Many of the best Soviet players had since left the former Soviet Union for the National Hockey League (NHL), which did not stop play for the Olympics. Thus, the team used players from the Russian and Swiss leagues instead, and head coach Viktor Tikhonov, known for his authoritarian style of coaching, was forced to modify his strategy, as he had no leverage over the players. Despite the absence of superstars, the CIS team had no problems with talent, boasting experienced veterans Vyacheslav Bykov, Andrei Khomutov and Alexei Zhamnov. The team was composed almost entirely of Russians, with Lithuanian-born Darius Kasparaitis and Ukrainian-born Alexei Zhitnik the only non-Russians. They played in three friendlies against Austria, Canada, and Italy in January 1992, defeating the Austrians and Canadians 7-2 each, and the Italians by a score of 4–2. The national team next took part in the Nissan Cup, hosted by Switzerland. They defeated Finland in the semifinals 6–2, but were surprised by the Swiss hosts in the final, losing by a score of 3–0. At the 1992 Winter Olympics, the national team finished with a 7–1 record, and won the gold medal by defeating Canada 3–1 in the final. After the Olympics, the team was dissolved and replaced by the Russian national team and other national teams for the independent post-Soviet states.
Reader's Guide
The CIS national ice hockey team represents a brief but significant transitional period in international ice hockey. Its existence was a direct consequence of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, which left no time to form a new team for the 1992 Winter Olympics. The team competed under the Unified Team banner, using the Olympic flag and hymn instead of Soviet symbols. The International Ice Hockey Federation later attributed the gold medal to Russia as the successor state, while the International Olympic Committee does not attribute that medal to Russia. The team's roster was drawn largely from Russian and Swiss leagues due to many top Soviet players having left for the NHL. Despite this, the team won 11 of its 13 total games, including a 7–1 Olympic record and a gold medal victory over Canada. The team was composed almost entirely of Russians, with only two non-Russian players: Darius Kasparaitis (Lithuanian-born) and Alexei Zhitnik (Ukrainian-born). After the Olympics, the team ceased to exist, replaced by the Russian national team and other national teams for the independent post-Soviet states.
Did You Know?
- The CIS team played only 13 games in total, winning 11 and losing 2.
- At the 1992 Olympics, the team used the Olympic flag and hymn instead of Soviet symbols.
- Andrei Khomutov led the team in Olympic scoring with 14 points.
- Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin was named to the Olympic roster but did not play in any games.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey 1-24
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