The Kazakhstan national ice hockey team is heading to the IIHF World Championship Division IA, which will take place in Sosnowiec, Poland. The team is now led by newly appointed head coach Talgat Zhaylauov, a well-known former hockey player. At this tournament, Kazakhstan will compete for promotion to the Elite Division, where the world’s strongest national teams play. The team held an open practice session for the media and answered questions about the upcoming tournament.
Kazakhstan approaches the championship with a clear understanding of its goal and without unnecessary pressure, but with an internal demand to win every game.
One of the team’s leaders and a defenseman for Barys Hockey Club, Samat Daniyar, shared his thoughts:
“The mood and atmosphere are good, we have a fighting spirit. We held our training camp in Astana and will continue it in Minsk. I believe we will reach the World Championship in optimal form.”
Kazakhstan is considered one of the favorites of the tournament and has set the highest possible goal. Daniyar put it clearly:
“One hundred percent – promotion to the Elite Division. That is our main objective.”
At the same time, despite their strong status, Kazakhstan expects tough competition:
“The opponents are good and strong. We’ve played against some of them before, so we know what to expect. I think the games will be very intense and interesting.” Special attention is given to the host nation: “Poland will be playing at home, and their arena will push them forward. France is also a strong opponent. Japan, Ukraine, Lithuania – all teams are good, there are no weak ones.”
There is no excessive pressure within the team. Most of the players represent the same system – Barys:
“Our national team has been refreshed, some key players will not be there. I think it will be a very balanced tournament. We don’t know how it will unfold, but we will do everything that depends on us one hundred percent,” the defenseman noted.
Team chemistry is not an issue for this squad. The players know each other well:
“We’ve crossed paths many times, we communicate almost every day. There are no problems with understanding each other on the ice. The atmosphere is great, we joke and communicate.”
The roster also includes players from other clubs: Barys, Nomad, Saryarka, Torpedo, and Gornyak. According to Daniyar, this is not just a group of players, but an already well-formed team.
The team also received additional insights about the hosts from Andrey Buyalsky, who has played in the Polish league: “He told us about the arena and the atmosphere. Buyalsky confirmed that they are a serious opponent at home, with strong support. There are good hockey players in the Polish championship.”
Daniyar emphasized:
“Everyone here has the role of being a leader. The result depends on each player – all twenty skaters and the goalies. Everyone must do their job at the highest level and fully dedicate themselves to the team, the country, and the fans.”
Despite Barys finishing the season outside the playoff zone, the defenseman stressed:
“First of all, I would like to take the level of commitment we showed at the club. In every game, we need to give our maximum and do our job as best as possible.”
