The first ice rink in Azerbaijan opened in 1990 but was soon thereafter closed. Despite being a member of the IIHF since 1992, the association has never played a game and only assembled for its first training session on 13 February 2024. The first training was held at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex and included eighteen players. The training was part of head coach Aleksandr Bilinov's long-term plan for the team and development of the sport in Azerbaijan, which included playing in a major international competition within the next five years.[3][4] The creation of the team was announced by Mariana Vasileva, the country's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, earlier that month.[5]
The Baku Flames, a club team representing Azerbaijan, made its international debut at the ADIHIC Cup in Kazan, Russia between May 11–15, 2024.[6]
References
^"IIHF profile". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
