The KHL inspection: “Only a few minor changes need to be made”

The entry of current Slovak champions, HC SLOVAN into the KHL is not affected by minor technical differences between the state of the Slovnaft Arena and the requirements made by the KHL, paving the way for HC SLOVAN’s inclusion into the KHL. Following Monday’s inspection, Skoropupov said, “Today we viewed the arena, and I concluded that only a few minor changes need to be made. Overall, the Slovnaft Arena is a great stadium and it only requires a small amount of work. Fine details need to be sorted”. Regarding the changes that need to be made, Skoropupov said, “In addition to the goal cameras, certain things need to be addressed, including sorting the logistical details for the changing room and equipment of away teams.” However, this will not rule HC SLOVAN out of playing in the KHL.

The results of the evaluation were welcome news to General Manager of HC SLOVAN, Maroš Krajči. “The arena itself was accepted. There are some differences between the practices in European championships and the KHL. One of those is that we have to increase the height of plexi-glass around the rink. We also have to make changes in the corridors, as players from both teams cannot use the same corridors. Other changes have been made, as well as the need to hang flags in the Arena for all the countries of participants in the KHL – i.e Slovakia, Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. We have to reserve and equip eight seats for statisticians. The other things are rather minor, such as decorating rooms. Doping rooms must be completely lined with mirrors, so that the controller can see the player from each angle during the submission of the sample, whilst the room for video referees needs to be updated”.

In all, after the inspection by Skoropupov and his team, there are 17 specific points for HC SLOVAN to correct. The issue of dealing with entry to the ice rink is entrusted to the architect. More than likely a telescopic roof will be needed to protect the players, but then be retracted in order to not spoil the view of the audience.

Representatives of HC SLOVAN have had to deal in the past with arena and equipment modifications by the NHL. “Now we are dealing with real technical things that will help players. The NHL was not so much interested in the protection and safety of spectators. In the KHL, there must be a doctor on each floor, whilst we will have complete first aid facilities for fans. In this respect, the inspection by the KHL is much more complex. On the other hand, there will be thirty league matches in the KHL, not just one for when the NHL came to Bratislava. We will now resolve the issues, without the need for a second inspection, and then all the documentation will be sent to Russia. Almost everything should be sorted by the 1^st August”.

Exceptions will be made for HC SLOVAN as in August, the club will play four home games in the European Trophy. The definitive date by which HC SLOVAN have to confirm in writing that all the deficiencies have been rectified is the 20^th August.

translated by Jon Rowson, www.velvethockey.blogspot.co.uk