Former Ukraine national hockey coach takes helm of Russian club ‘Unison’ in Moscow
Serhiy Viter, a well-known Ukrainian hockey player and coach, who previously led the Ukrainian national hockey team, has unexpectedly become the head coach of the Russian club ‘Unison’ based in Moscow. His appointment has caused widespread discussion within the sports community, given his extensive professional background in hockey and the fact that his career has undergone significant changes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Viter, 50 years old and originally from Donetsk, played for the Belarusian national team, adding a layer of complexity to his sporting biography. During his playing career, he was part of various Belarusian clubs and also played for the renowned Ukrainian team ‘Donbas’. After retiring from playing, he spent nine seasons coaching and assisting the head coach at ‘Donbas’, and he also managed the Mariupol club ‘HC Mariupol’ for two incomplete seasons. In 2019, he was appointed as the head coach of the Ukrainian national team, a role he held until 2020. It is important to note that following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) sanctioned Russia and Belarus, banning their participation in international competitions, which has significantly restricted their sporting activities. Additionally, it has been reported that Ukrainian armed forces eliminated a Russian hockey player, symbolizing the ongoing conflict and the fierce resistance of the Ukrainian people. Viter’s new career move highlights the complex intersection of sports and geopolitics, especially in times of war, and raises questions about the influence of political conflicts on athletic careers and international sports dynamics.