Traktor’s own. Anatoli Kostryukov and Valeri Belousov

Anatoli Kostryukov– Honorary Coach of USSR and RSFSR. Kostryukov was the one behind Traktor’s first ever bronze medals in 1977. He was a disciplined head coach and inculcated this discipline to the players. Back in 1970s, knocking Moscow hockey teams off the first three spots was a feat of its own, and Kostryukov did it. Traktor left behind the teams like Spartak, Krylya Sovetov, Dinamo Riga and Khimik from Voskresensk. The very next year Traktor came up just short, finishing fourth with just two points less than Krylya Sovetov. It was the last season in Traktor for Anatoli Kostryukov who left the team in the hands of an almost equally talented Gennadi Tsygurov.

Valeri Belousov– the most renowned head coach in Traktor’s history and also its best scorer. All medals that Traktor ever won were in one way or another linked to Belousov’s name. During his playing career, he was with Traktor for 11 seasons during which he played 447 games and garnered 446 points (242 G, 204 A). Belousov was an integral part of the bronze team of 1977. Valeri Konstantinovich began his coaching career in Traktor in1986 . The team that he created was young and hungry and is still considered to be one of the best ever assembled in Chelyabinsk. Under Belousov’s stewardship, Traktor won bronze medals three times within the span of the years 1993 and 1994 (two in the International Hockey League and one – in Russian Cup).
Belousov left Traktor in 1995 only to return 15 years later. Back in 2011\2012 season Traktor hoisted the Continent Cup and won Gagarin Cup bronze medals, and a year later came even closer, entering into the league finals. Thus far, this runner-up finish is the best in team’s history. The Traktor circa 2013 reminded many fans of the unforgettable style of play cultivated in team USSR.

We would like to remind you that on December 24, 2014 three personal flags were also lifted to the top of the arena. They belong to the founder of Traktor, Isaak Zaltsman, first Traktor captain and head coach Viktor Vasilyev as well as the first ever Chelyabinsk-born Honorary Coach of USSR, Sergei Zakhvatov.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for Traktor!