Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KRS Vanke Rays
HC Kunlun Red Star logo.png
CityShenzhen, Guangdong, China
Mytishchi, Moscow Oblast, Russia (2021–22)
LeagueZhHL (2019–present)
CWHL (2017–2019)
Founded2017 (2017)
Home arenaShenzhen Dayun Arena
Mytishchi Arena (2021–22)
ColorsRed, gold, black
     
Owner(s)Kunlun Red Star
General managerNikolai Feoktistov
Head coachBrian Idalski
CaptainYu Baiwei
Websitewhl.khl.ru
Franchise history
CWHL
2017–2018Kunlun Red Star WIH
2018–2019Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays
ZhHL
2019–presentKRS Vanke Rays Shenzhen
Championships
Playoff championships1 (2019–20)

The KRS Vanke Rays (Russian: КРС Ванке Рэйз) are a professional ice hockey team in the Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL). The team is owned and operated by Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). They are based at the Shenzhen Dayun Arena in Shenzhen, Guangdong. For the 2021–22 season, in response to heightened entry restrictions in Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has temporarily relocated to Mytishchi, a town in Moscow Oblast, and are playing at Mytishchi Arena, which they share with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL.[1]

Founded in 2017 as part of the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), the team was known as Kunlun Red Star WIH (simplified Chinese: 深圳昆仑鸿星 or 昆仑鸿星; traditional Chinese: 深圳崑崙鴻星 or 崑崙鴻星; pinyin: Shēnzhèn Kūnlún Hóngxīng or Kūnlún Hóngxīng; Cantonese Yale: Sāmzan Kwānlèuhn Hùhngsīng or Kwānlèuhn Hùhngsīng) during its first season in 2017–18, but changed its name to Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays after the other Chinese team in the CWHL, the Vanke Rays, was merged into Kunlun Red Star. The team joined the ZhHL after the CWHL folded in 2019.

History[]

Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL): 2017–2019[]

The Kunlun Red Star women's ice hockey team was established on 5 June 2017, in an effort to improve the China women's national ice hockey team in preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,[2] in association the Kunlun Red Star men's team that had joined the Kontinental Hockey League the previous year. The team signed two players prior to the official announcement of the team in Finnish goaltender Noora Räty and American forward Kelli Stack.[3] Red Star announced Digit Murphy, formerly of the Boston Blades as head coach.[4] The team also signed from Yale as associate head coach[5] but soon after became the head coach of the second Chinese team, the Vanke Rays.

With their first round pick in the 2017 CWHL Draft, the Red Star selected Noora Räty.[6] The club proceeded to select Alexandra Carpenter in the second round,[7] while the third round saw the franchise select National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) All-Star Shiann Darkangelo.

On 21 October 2017, the Red Star competed in their first game, facing the Markham Thunder. Kelli Stack and Baiwei Yu both earned assists on the first goal in Kunlun Red Star history, scored by Zoe Hickel.[8] During the regular season, teams that traveled to China played a three-game series against the Red Star in an effort to reduce travel costs.

By season's end, Noora Räty was the CWHL's regular season goaltending champion, leading the league in goals against average. In addition, she tied for the league in shutouts with goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer of Les Canadiennes, with six. Räty also won the CWHL Goaltender of the Year award, the first European-born goaltender to capture the honor, and Kelli Stack led the CWHL in scoring, the first American-born player to win the Angela James Bowl.

Räty was also the starting goaltender for the Red Star in the 2018 Clarkson Cup finals in Toronto. Facing the Markham Thunder, the final went into overtime, where Laura Stacey scored with 2:11 left in the 4-on-4 overtime as Markham prevailed by a 2–1 score for its first Clarkson Cup win.[9] Räty recorded 37 saves in the game while Stack scored the only goal of the game for the Red Star.[10] Head coach Digit Murphy left the team in May and Kunlun Red Star named Bob Deraney, formerly the head coach of the Providence Friars women's ice hockey team, as the new head coach on 12 June 2018.[11]

Prior to the 2018–19 season, the CWHL shut down the other Chinese team, the Vanke Rays. On 3 August 2018, Kunlun Red Star changed its name to Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays. Rob Morgan, who served as the head coach of the Vanke Rays during its only season was named as the general manager for the consolidated club. Kunlun Red Star brand was continued to be used by a separate hockey team for the Chinese national players as part of the national team's development in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics.[12]

In February 2019, the KRS Vanke Rays announced coach Deraney had stepped down and would take over the rest of the season.[13] The team missed qualifying for the final playoff spot via tiebreaker with the Toronto Furies.

Following the season, the CWHL ceased operations citing the financial infeasibility of the league, but that the Chinese partnership had kept the league operating during the previous seasons.[14]

Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL): 2019–present[]

On 25 July 2019, the team announced they were joining the Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL) for the .[15] The team hired former North Dakota head coach Brian Idalski, the team's fourth head coach, while retaining veteran players Carpenter, Räty and Rachel Llanes.[16] In their first season in the ZhHL, the Vanke Rays finished second overall in the regular-season table behind HC Agidel Ufa. In the playoff round, the Vanke Rays swept their playoff games against HC Tornado and Agidel to win the ZhHL Cup, becoming the first non-Russian team to win the ZhHL championship. In addition, Carpenter was named the league's scoring champion of 2020.

In response to heightened entry restrictions in Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the team temporarily relocated to Stupino, a Russian town in Moscow Oblast, for the 2020–21 season. While in Stupino, the team's temporary home arena was the Ice Palace V. M. Bobrova (Russian: Ледовый дворец спорта им. В.М. Боброва, romanized: Ledovyy Dvorets Sporta Im. V.m. Bobrova), which they shared with Kapitan Stupino of the Junior Hockey League (MHL).

They remained in Moscow Oblast for the , relocating to Mytishchi Arena in Mytishchi.[1]

Players and personnel[]

2021–22 roster[]

The contracts of all players without Chinese citizenship were terminated on 20 September 2021, two days before the team submitted this roster with their application for the 2021–22 ZhHL regular season.[17] Each player on the current roster is eligible to represent China at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[18]

As of 27 September 2021[19]

Note: Player names are displayed using western name order (given name, then family name) to maintain the sorting function of the table.

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
17 Canada F R 20 2021 Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
12 United States F R 21 2021 Naperville, Illinois, United States
88 Canada G R 19 2021 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
11 Canada F R 25 2019 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
21 China D L 23 2021
26 United States D R 21 2021 Troy, Michigan, United States
23 China F L 27 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
97 China F R 24 2021
66 China F R 26 2021
88 China G L 23 2021
92 China F R 29 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
16 China D L 19 2021 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
93 China Zhixin Liu D L 28 2021 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
91 United States Rachel Llanes F R 30 2017 San Jose, California, United States
96 China F R 25 2021
18 United States D L 22 2021 Studio City, California, United States
7 Canada Leah Lum (A) F L 25 2018 Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
19 Canada F L 19 2021 Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
69 China F R 26 2021
33 Canada G L 26 2018 Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
78 China F R 21 2021
51 United States F L 21 2021 Commerce Township, Michigan, United States
22 Canada D L 24 2019 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
24 China G L 27 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
94 China D L 27 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
5 Canada D R 21 2021 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
49 Canada Jessica Wong D L 30 2017 Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
37 United States F R 27 2017 Plymouth, Minnesota, United States
2 China Baiwei Yu (C) D R 33 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
89 China Mengying Zhang (A) F L 28 2021
87 China D L 24 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
98 China F L 23 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

Coaching staff and team personnel

  • Head coach: Brian Idalski
  • Assistant coach: Stacey Colarossi
  • Assistant coach: Max Markowitz

2021 ZhHL Championship and Open Cup roster[]

As of 5 September 2021[20][21][22]

Note: Player names are displayed using western name order (given name, then family name) to maintain the sorting function of the table.

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
10 Russia Lyudmila Belyakova F L 27 2021 Moscow, Russia
1 Canada Marlène Boissonnault G L 24 2021 Dundee, Nova Scotia, Canada
86 Canada Michela Cava F R 27 2021 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
71 Canada F L 24 2021 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
11 Canada F R 25 2019 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
– China F L 27 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
– China G L 23 2021
28 Canada F R 23 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
– China F L 24 2021
3 Finland Michelle Karvinen F L 31 2021 Rødovre, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark
4 Finland Anna Kilponen D L 26 2021 Orivesi, Pirkanmaa, Finland
– China F R 29 2021 Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
91 United States Rachel Llanes F R 30 2017 San Jose, California, United States
7 Canada Leah Lum F L 25 2018 Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
9 Czech Republic Alena Mills F L 31 2020 Kutná Hora, Středočeský kraj, Czechoslovakia
29 Sweden Emma Nordin F L 30 2021 Örnsköldsvik, Ångermanland, Sweden
33 Canada G L 26 2018 Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
– China F R 21 2021
United States F L 21 2021 Commerce Township, Michigan, United States
77 Finland Susanna Tapani F L 29 2021 Laitila, Varsinais-Suomi, Finland
47 Canada D R 23 2021 Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
22 Canada D L 24 2019 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
15 Finland Minttu Tuominen D R 31 2020 Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
49 Canada Jessica Wong D L 30 2017 Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
37 United States F R 27 2017 Plymouth, Minnesota, United States
83 Russia F L 24 2021 Tver, Russia

Front office[]

  • General Manager: Nikolai Feoktistov
  • President: Ao Meng

Team captaincy history[]

Head coaches[]

Awards and honours[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "«Лучшие в ЖХЛ девушки заслуживают более комфортной арены». «Ванке Рэйз» переехали в Мытищи" ["The best ladies in the ZhHL deserve a more comfortable arena." The Vanke Rays moved to Mytishchi]. Zhenskaya Hockey League (in Russian). 3 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Price, Satchel (5 June 2017). "Canadian Women's Hockey League expanding to China next season". SB Nation. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  3. ^ "CWHL unveils Chinese expansion franchise for 2017-18". Sportsnet. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  4. ^ Berkman, Seth (5 June 2017). "Canadian Women's Hockey League to Add a Team From China". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Red Star Women's Ice Hockey Name Rob Morgan as Associate Head Coach – Kunlan Red Star". www.hcredstar.us.
  6. ^ "Forward Courtney Turner taken with first pick in CWHL draft". Sportsnet. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  7. ^ Salzano, Grant (21 August 2017). "Kristyn Capizzano And Alex Carpenter Taken In 2017 CWHL Draft". BC Interruption. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Game #: 5 - Saturday, October 21, 2017". Canadian Women's Hockey League. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  9. ^ McGran, Kevin (25 March 2018). "Laura Stacey's overtime winner gives Markham its first Clarkson Cup". Toronto Star. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Game # 0 - Sunday, March 25, 2018". Canadian Women's Hockey League. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  11. ^ Jay, Michelle; Murphy, Mike (12 June 2018). "Bob Deraney named head coach of Kunlun Red Stars". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  12. ^ Sun, Maura (3 August 2018). "Kunlun Red Stars Announce Team Name Change". Canadian Women's Hockey League. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Mike Lazazzera to Complete the Rest of the Season as the Interim Head Coach for Rays". Canadian Women's Hockey League. 13 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Final Public Communication" (PDF). Canadian Women's Hockey League. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  15. ^ Jay, Michelle (25 July 2019). "KRS Vanke Rays officially joining the Russian Women's Hockey League". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Brian Idalski tabbed as next head coach of the Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays". The Ice Garden. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  17. ^ "«Ванке Рэйз» покинули все игроки без китайского гражданства" [Vanke Rays cut all players without Chinese citizenship]. Zhenskaya Hockey League (in Russian). 20 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ Галькевич, Семён [Galkevich, Semyon] (17 September 2021). "Американский тренер сборной Китая: хочу жить в России как можно дольше" [American coach of the Chinese national team: I want to live in Russia as long as possible]. RIA Novosti (in Russian). Retrieved 27 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "В «Ванке Рэйз» 20 новых игроков. Все − гражданки Китая" [Vanke Rays has 20 new players – everyone is a Chinese citizen]. Zhenskaya Hockey League (in Russian). 22 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Russia (W) - KRS Vanke Rays, 2021-2022 Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Две россиянки, трое призёров ЧМ-2021: «КРС Ванке Рэйз» обновили состав" [Two Russian women, three winners of the 2021 World Championship: KRS Vanke Rays updated the line-up]. Zhenskaya Hockey League (in Russian). 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Меркушева − лучший вратарь, «Ванке Рэйз» − победители. Итоги Открытого Кубка ЖХЛ". Женская хоккейная лига (in Russian). 19 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Raty Named Top CWHL Goaltender". Minnesota Golden Gophers Athletics. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  24. ^ Salzano, Grant (24 March 2018). "Kelli Stack Named CWHL MVP". BC Interruption. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  25. ^ Kemmerer, Gillian (4 February 2020). "Ice Diaries: WHL playoffs". en.khl.ru. Retrieved 14 September 2020.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""