Leonids Tambiev, the most prolific player in the history of the Latvian national hockey team, has taken a significant step by joining the coaching staff of SKA St. Petersburg, a prominent club in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). At 55 years of age, Tambiev boasts an impressive record of 150 points (66 goals and 84 assists) across 208 matches for Latvia, a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport. His transition from player to coach began in 2014, and since then, he has contributed to various teams in Russia and Kazakhstan.

Tambiev's recent announcement by SKA St. Petersburg came on December 10, reinforcing his long-standing involvement in hockey despite the ongoing geopolitical issues in the region, particularly Russia's actions in Ukraine. His experience includes stints with the Vladivostok Admirals in the KHL over the past five seasons, where he has honed his coaching capabilities. The club, SKA, is an abbreviation for