Metallurg Magnitogorsk is one of the famous names of Russian hockey – but in the KHL era the Ural powerhouse has fallen short in its Gagarin Cup campaigns. So, for the 2012-13 crusade, Magnitka is looking to a new coach and a younger roster to bring back the glory days.

The appointment of Paul Maurice (pictured) to the Metallurg hot-seat is potentially one of the coups of the season. The club was already seeking a new man behind the benches, and according to recently-returned vice-president Gennady Velichkin, had all but agreed terms with a coach working elsewhere in Europe. However, at the last minute the directors changed tack and decided to look to North America, where Maurice was out of contract. With a resume which includes taking Carolina Hurricanesto the 2012 Stanley Cup final, approaching him for the Magnitogorsk job was a no-brainer, Velichkin told Sovietsky Sport, and the deal was swiftly done. At the same time, double Stanley Cup winning goaltender Tom Barrasso joined the coaching staff.

Maurice, the youngest man to coach 1,000 NHL games, has reshuffled his roster and cut the average age of the team from 31 to 26. That’s in line with the club’s desire to change course and make the team into the star, rather than create a star-studded roster which appears stronger on paper than on the ice. As a result, the likes of Maxim Sushinsky and Juhamatti Aaltonen have moved on, while Maurice has recruited younger replacements from the NHL, such as forwards Cal O’Reilly and Mats Zuccarello. More