KHL.ru highlights the significant statistical achievements expected for several league coaches during the upcoming 2025/2026 season.
Minsk is poised to be the center for major milestones once again. Last season, Vadim Shipachyov was celebrated there for setting new league records in games played and points. In the 2025/2026 campaign, the spotlight shifts to Dmitry Kvartalnov, who is on track to become the first head coach in KHL history to reach the 1000-game mark. Needing 48 more appearances, Kvartalnov`s milestone game is anticipated for December 28, 2025, in Minsk against Dynamo Moscow – a memorable way to cap off the year.
Notably, just three days prior to Kvartalnov`s 1000th game (December 25, 2025), Igor Nikitin is projected to ascend to second place all-time in KHL games coached. Starting the season in fifth place, he will surpass Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, Oleg Znarok, and Vladimir Krikunov after participating in just 39 additional matches.
Top 10 KHL Coaches by Games Coached
| № | Coach | Clubs Coached | Games Coached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dmitry Kvartalnov | Severstal, Sibir, CSKA, Lokomotiv, Ak Bars, Dynamo Minsk | 962 |
| 2 | Vladimir Krikunov | Neftekhimik, Ak Bars, Barys, Avtomobilist, Dynamo Moscow, Dinamo Riga | 722 |
| 3 | Oleg Znarok | HC MVD, Dynamo Moscow, SKA, Spartak, Ak Bars | 709 |
| 4 | Zinetula Bilyaletdinov | Ak Bars | 703 |
| 5 | Igor Nikitin | Avangard, CSKA, Lokomotiv | 684 |
| 6 | Andrei Nazarov | Traktor, Vityaz, Severstal, Donbass, Barys, SKA, Neftekhimik, Sochi | 647 |
| 7 | Alexei Kudashov | Atlant, Lokomotiv, SKA, Dynamo Moscow | 627 |
| 8 | Ilya Vorobyov | Metallurg, SKA, CSKA | 596 |
| 9 | Andrei Razin | Avtomobilist, Ugra, Admiral, Severstal, Metallurg | 561 |
| 10 | Andrei Skabelka | Sibir, Avangard, Barys, Lokomotiv | 554 |
Looking at other specialists, Andrei Razin is expected to surpass the 600-game mark in the regular season. Anvar Gatiyatulin, currently ranked 13th, is nearing 500 games. Nikolai Zavarukhin needs 27 games to reach 400, while Bob Hartley is just seven games shy of 300. Furthermore, Hartley is set to become the North American coach with the most KHL games coached this season, surpassing Craig Woodcroft (303 games). Viktor Kozlov is also on track to reach 300 games (currently at 277, ranking 33rd overall in this metric), and Leonid Tambiev is expected to achieve a similar milestone (currently at 237 games played).
Regarding wins, Kvartalnov also holds the top position, needing only seven victories to reach 600 KHL wins as a head coach. It is quite probable that Alexei Kudashov will cross the 400-win threshold, and Razin is almost certainly set to achieve 300 wins. Hartley is within reach of 200 wins (currently 177), and Tambiev is expected to break the 100-win barrier (currently 98).
Top 10 KHL Coaches by Wins
| № | Coach | Clubs Coached | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dmitry Kvartalnov | Severstal, Sibir, CSKA, Lokomotiv, Ak Bars, Dynamo Minsk | 593 |
| 2 | Igor Nikitin | Avangard, CSKA, Lokomotiv | 460 |
| 3 | Oleg Znarok | HC MVD, Dynamo Moscow, SKA, Spartak, Ak Bars | 440 |
| 4 | Zinetula Bilyaletdinov | Ak Bars | 437 |
| 5 | Vladimir Krikunov | Neftekhimik, Ak Bars, Barys, Avtomobilist, Dynamo Moscow, Dinamo Riga | 374 |
| 6 | Alexei Kudashov | Atlant, Lokomotiv, SKA, Dynamo Moscow | 372 |
| 7 | Ilya Vorobyov | Metallurg, SKA, CSKA | 358 |
| 8 | Andrei Skabelka | Sibir, Avangard, Barys, Lokomotiv | 303 |
| 9 | Andrei Razin | Avtomobilist, Ugra, Admiral, Severstal, Metallurg | 291 |
| 10 | Andrei Nazarov | Traktor, Vityaz, Severstal, Donbass, Barys, SKA, Neftekhimik, Sochi | 288 |
When considering points percentage, Igor Nikitin is the clear leader with 66%. He is followed closely by Znarok (61.84%), Bilyaletdinov (61.64%), and Kvartalnov (61.05%). Rounding out the top five in this category is Vorobyov at 59.96%.
Gareth Tenby 
Neville Woodall