Gatiyatulin was named the best coach of the season in the KHL

Ak Bars Kazan head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin has been named the best coach of the 2025/2026 season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This was reported on the KHL website on May 28.

Gatiyatulin received this award for the first time in his career. The winner of the nomination is determined by a vote of the league's clubs. Victor Kozlov from Ufa's Salavat Yulaev and Andrey Razin from Magnitogorsk's Metallurg also claimed the victory.

"I won't change myself, it's a good teamwork. In relation to this award, my team includes my family, my loved ones, and all the people who work for the benefit of Ak Bars. <...> Thank you to all the coaches who have participated and are participating in my professional growth. Words of gratitude to the fans — we are playing for you!" said Gatiyatulin.

Under the guidance of a specialist, Ak Bars played 88 matches and scored 57 victories in the 2025/2026 season. The team finished third in the Eastern Conference following the results of the regular season, and in the playoffs reached the Gagarin Cup final, where they lost to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (2-4). This final was Gatiyatulin's debut in his career.

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On the same day, it became known that the KHL 2026/27 regular season championship will be held from September 5, 2026 to March 20, 2027. The teams, as in previous seasons, will play 68 matches each. The playoffs will start on March 23 and last until May 23. A possible seventh match of the final series is scheduled for this date.