The team was founded by the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant in 1948 as Metallurg Chelyabinsk and competed in third rate Soviet division since 1957 subsequently getting relegated to the second division (Class A2) since the 70s seasons. Since the 1985–86 Soviet League season was the main ice hockey team in Chelyabinsk replacing downgraded Traktor Chelyabinsk.
In 1990 after its parent Metallurgical Plant became a core of the Mechel metallurgical company the team was renamed Mechel Chelyabinsk. During the 90s Mechel became one of the founding clubs of the IHL and the Russian Superleague. But since 2003 it was moved to the second rate Supreme League later becoming the constituent member of the VHL. Since 2012 when Mechel withdrew its support of the team it got its current name. Current team logo based on NHL franchise Washington Capitals
