Anatolii Brezvin
Anatolii Ivanovych Brezvin | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 8, 1956 Holoby, Volyn Oblast, Ukrainian SSR |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, political figure, ice hockey administrator |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine (2006–2020) |
| Notable work | Initiated national youth hockey tournament and Ukrainian Cup; developed ice hockey infrastructure in Ukraine |
Anatolii Ivanovych Brezvin () (born 8 January 1956) is a Ukrainian former entrepreneur, political figure, and ice hockey administrator. He earned a degree in industrial accounting from the Kyiv Institute of National Economy, holds a qualification in international law, and obtained a PhD in economics from the Ukrainian Academy of Foreign Trade. Brezvin's career includes serving as a senior economist within the Kyiv City State Administration, overseeing financial departments for both the Podilskyi District and Minskyi District councils. He occupied multiple positions in the State Tax Administration of Ukraine and was chairman of the board at Ukrgasbank. Politically, he was active on the Minskyi District Council and represented the People's Party of Ukraine on the Kyiv City Council. His accolades comprise the first class Order of Merit (Ukraine), the fifth degree of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and designation as an Honored Economist of Ukraine.
During his presidency of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine from 2006 to 2020, Brezvin initiated a national youth hockey tournament and introduced the Ukrainian Cup, which was subsequently succeeded by the Ukrainian Federation Cup. His objective to develop 60 ice rinks to enhance hockey infrastructure resulted in completing 12 new facilities and refurbishing two existing ones. He assigned responsibility for organizing the Ukrainian Hockey Championship to the Professional Hockey League, although under his leadership, the performance of the national team at the Ice Hockey World Championships declined—a situation he attributed to leading players participating in professional leagues abroad. Additionally, Brezvin established a women's league, launched the women's national team's participation in the IIHF World Women's Championship, and supported hosting 17 events sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation within Ukraine. In recognition of his international contributions to ice hockey, he was honored with the Paul Loicq Award by the IIHF in 2024.
Early life and education
Anatolii Ivanovich Brezvin was born on 8 January 1956 in Holoby, Volyn Oblast, into a family with working-class roots. Early in his life, he was employed at a fruit canning plant (1973–1974) and later at a sugar beet processing facility in Volodymyr-Volynsky before fulfilling military service as an instructor in the Soviet Army from 1974 to 1976.
Between 1977 and 1981, Brezvin attended the Kyiv Institute of National Economy, where he graduated with a specialization in industrial accounting. He expanded his academic credentials by earning a degree in international law from the Ukrainian Academy of Foreign Trade in 2001 and completed his doctoral studies in economics in 2002, focusing his dissertation on regulatory mechanisms governing industrial processing within agriculture.
Business career
From 1981 until 1984, Brezvin served as a senior economist within the financial department of the Kyiv City State Administration. Following this period, he assumed leadership roles managing financial operations for district councils until 1990.
He transitioned to roles within Ukraine’s State Tax Administration, directing tax operations for Minskyi District between 1990 and 1996 and subsequently overseeing Kyiv City's tax administration from 1996 to 2005. Concurrently, he held the position of deputy head at the national tax agency from 1998 through 2005. After political changes following the Orange Revolution, he departed but returned briefly to administrative duties between 2006 and 2007.
In June 2010, Brezvin was appointed chairman of the board at Ukrgasbank, a move that sparked debate due to questions about his banking background. Industry insiders often described him as closely aligned with then-Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. During his tenure, he committed to accelerating Ukrgasbank’s growth beyond market averages by broadening payroll services and other client offerings, restoring institutional reputation, boosting profitability, and addressing non-performing loan portfolios. His chairmanship concluded in 2011 when Sergey Mamedov succeeded him.
Political career
Brezvin was a member of the Minskyi District Council between 1987 and 1998. In 1998, he secured a seat on the Kyiv City Council, where he served as deputy chair of the budget and socio-economic development committee. From 2002 until 2014, he represented the People's Party of Ukraine, aligning with the Lytvyn's People's Bloc starting in 2008.
Ice hockey career
In December 2006, Brezvin assumed the presidency of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine (FHU). During his leadership, the federation collaborated on initiatives to provide equipment for youth hockey programs, tackling issues of affordability despite a nationwide scarcity of ice rinks.
A year later, in 2007, he initiated an ambitious plan to construct 60 ice rinks over five years to promote sports development across regions. However, by 2012 only 12 new rinks and two renovations had been completed due to difficulties with funding and land acquisition. The project was extended by an additional four years, with commitments to build several more rinks in Kyiv. Even after the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014, Brezvin advocated for government backing following trends in private sector investment.
Throughout his presidency, Brezvin established a national youth championship and launched the Ukrainian Cup in 2007, which was succeeded by the Ukrainian Federation Cup in 2008. In 2011, he transferred organizational control of the Ukrainian Hockey Championship to the Professional Hockey League. Under his oversight, Ukraine hosted 17 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events, including junior tournaments and Division I-B competitions for the men's world championships in both 2011 and 2013. He also founded a Ukrainian women's championship and integrated the women's national team into IIHF competitions.
In his inaugural year as president, Ukraine’s men's national team finished 16th at the 2007 World Championship and was relegated to Division I. Despite achieving second place in Division I in 2008, they did not return to the top division; Brezvin projected a five- to seven-year period for talent cultivation. The team’s drop to Division II following the 2015 championship reflected absences caused by players’ commitments to professional leagues and disruptions from the Russo-Ukrainian War, which also impacted junior team development and efforts to naturalize Russian players. By 2019, Ukraine’s international ranking had declined from 12th place in 2006 to 27th overall.
In September 2020, a group of 67 Ukrainian players—including national team members and NHL athletes—sent a letter to government officials criticizing Brezvin’s leadership for contributing to Ukrainian hockey’s downturn. Their grievances highlighted inadequate facilities such as Kyiv’s Palace of Sports, poor international results, and eroded confidence in the FHU.
Brezvin chose not to run for re-election as FHU president in 2020 and was subsequently appointed honorary president. The IIHF acknowledged his efforts in safeguarding more than 2,500 players during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In 2024, he underscored hockey’s importance in supporting children’s physical and mental well-being amid ongoing conflict.
Nevertheless, Channel 24 News reported that Brezvin attempted to reinstate pro-Russian figures within FHU leadership and interfered with federation meetings. The outlet criticized his tenure for failing to serve Ukrainian sports interests effectively, citing his appointment of pro-Russian vice-presidents as early as 2008.
Honors and awards
In 1997, Brezvin was honored with the third class of the Order of Merit (Ukraine), which was subsequently elevated to the second class in 1999 and ultimately to the first class in 2004. He earned the title of Honored Economist of Ukraine in recognition of his significant contributions to the establishment of the tax service. His accolades further include the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise V degree, the "For the Development of Ukraine" IV degree award (2001), and the "For Labor Distinction" medal (2002).
The year 2024 saw Brezvin receive the prestigious Paul Loicq Award from the IIHF, acknowledging his efforts in promoting international ice hockey; this honor was bestowed during the IIHF Hall of Fame induction event.
Personal life
Brezvin serves as the chairman of the board for the NGO [Our Choice]. His leisure activities encompass swimming, fishing, and hunting. He is married and has three children: two sons and a daughter.