KHL: Alex Galchenyuk Named Captain by His Father
Alexander Galchenyuk is set to captain the KHL’s Amur Khabarovsk in the 2025-2026 season, an appointment made by his father, who was recently promoted to head coach of the team.The Continental League team announced the decision on Saturday via VK social media.The unusual father-son dynamic comes as Alexander Galchenyuk enters his second season with Amur, and his first playing under his father’s leadership. Alexander galchenyuk, 31, previously captained the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario junior league, where his father served as an assistant coach. The appointment raises questions about potential favoritism, but the elder Galchenyuk insists his focus is solely on results.
Galchenyuk Sr. addressed concerns about his son receiving preferential treatment, stating, “It’s not new to us. We have been working side by side for 21 years. He knows my principles, I know his own… Why should I think of others? I need results.”
The 58-year-old coach was hired as a development instructor last December before being elevated to head coach for the upcoming campaign. Khabarovsk finished second to last in the Eastern association in 2024-2025, missing the playoffs. Galchenyuk led the team with 20 goals and 38 points in 59 games.
A third-overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft,Galchenyuk played in the National Hockey League from 2013 to 2023,suiting up for seven different teams before moving to Russia.
