Artem Lukoyanov, the former Ak Bars Kazan forward, has signed with Metallurg from Zhlobin, according to the Belarusian club’s official site. At 35 years old, he moves to Metallurg on a contract that will cover the remainder of the current season, giving him another chance to compete in the Belorussian league.
The agreement keeps Lukoyanov on the roster through the season’s end, allowing him to contribute to Metallurg’s campaign as he adjusts to a new team and system.
On December 3, Lukoyanov faced bankruptcy proceedings, with authorities reporting his loan debt had surpassed 30 million rubles, a development that has shadowed his sports career and contemporaneous moves.
Lukoyanov spent a long stretch with Ak Bars Kazan from 2011 to 2024, appearing in numerous seasons for the club. Ak Bars General Manager Marat Valiullin commented on his departure, saying there were no sporting complaints against the player, but that certain unsportsmanlike behaviors should be eliminated to maintain team standards.
This season he has played for Unison-Moscow, a club in the All-Russian Hockey League, where he accumulated six points in 26 games, with two goals and four assists, contributing in a role that blends experience with veteran leadership.
In the spring of 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) barred Russian players from international tournaments, even with neutral status, and Russia was stripped of the right to host the 2023 Youth World Championship at home. These sanctions marked a turning point in how Russian players could participate on the world stage.
In March 2023, the IIHF extended the suspension for the 2023/24 season. At that time, IIHF President Luc Tardif stated that the council would revisit the question of accepting the national teams of Russia and Belarus in March 2024, signaling a potential shift in policy as the federation evaluated international participation and hosting rights.
A former American ice hockey player commented on these changes and the broader implications for players moving within the international system, highlighting how geopolitical factors can intersect with professional careers and league strategies.