Chistyakov has signed a one-year deal to take over from predecessor Mikhail Chekanov, who had overseen a period of unprecedented success for the country having guided them to two of the three International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship bronze medals they have claimed in their history.

Chekanov led the team which beat Finland in the third-place play-off at this year’s event, held in Kamloops in Canada and also achieved a podium finish at the 2013 edition of the IIHF’s flagship women’s tournament in Ottawa.

He has stepped aside after four years in the role due to his contract running out and he will now act as an advisor to RIHF President Vladislav Tretiak on matters involving women’s ice hockey.

The 48-year-old Chistyakov has held a number of coaching roles within the domestic leagues in Russia, managing Torpedo Yaroslavl, SKA Khabarovsk, Metallurg Cherepovets and Dizelist Penza among others.

His most recent role came with Moscow-based club HC Tornado, who have enjoyed a successful period under his leadership as he has led them to six Zhenskaya Hockey League titles in nine years.

The team have earned four European Women’s Champions Cup crowns since he took over in 2007.

He was also an assistant coach to Valentin Gureyev at the women’s national team from 2009 to 2012.

Chistyakov’s most recent involvement in international ice hockey came as an assistant coach for the under-18 women’s national team in the past three years.

The side side earned a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2015 but were unable to replicate that result at the 2016 competition in St. Catharines in Canada.

Chistyakov’s first major event will be the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, due to take place in Plymouth in the United States from April 1 until 7 next year. 

Russia will go up against America, the defending champion and hosts, Canada and Finland.