Record support, playoff heartbreak: HC Dinamo Minsk sum up KHL season results

MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – Director General of HC Dinamo Minsk Artyom Karkotsky answered journalists’ questions at the club’s press conference to take stock of the season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), BelTA has learned.

In the regular championship, the Minsk club achieved its best result in its entire KHL history, finishing second in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, HC Dinamo Minsk swept the series against HC Dynamo Moscow (4-0), but in the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals, they lost to HC Ak Bars Kazan in four games. The 2025/26 season ended with the fifth place in the overall KHL standings for the Minsk Bisons, the best result in the club’s history.

“We wanted to make a step forward this year, but in the end we repeated last season’s playoff result. It was an interesting season with a disappointing finish. Much money was spent, so there is much to think about and to draw the right conclusions from our mistakes. Over the past three years, we have achieved a lot, finishing higher each season. The head coach’s contract runs until 31 May, so we have time to make a decision,” Artyom Karkotsky noted. “This season, Minsk Arena saw 38 sellouts. The club is making every effort to ensure that fans enjoy the experience. The support from fans at away games is truly heartwarming – sometimes a whole convoy of buses would make the trip. This deserves our deepest gratitude. We have managed to turn people’s attitude towards the team around. In the past, losses were met calmly, and wins were big events. Now it is different: wins are expected, and losses are a surprise.”

The director general also spoke about working with the roster. “During the season, we tried to make the team stronger, but we could not afford everyone we wanted – the market dictates its terms. Scouting work is carried out regularly, and we manage to find diamonds that become gems of the entire league. However, the problem of keeping our leaders is an annual one – it is difficult to retain players of this level. We will do our utmost to keep the core. At the same time, we are happy that Belarusian players are maturing to the NHL level. Borikov and Moroz have been drafted, and there is interest in Pinchuk. We are in touch with overseas clubs – it is important for us that our guys play in good conditions. If they leave, they should do so mentally and physically ready for leading roles. For now, everything is in the negotiation stage.”

Photos by Sergei Sheleg/BelTA