A Russian ice hockey team has began awarding their man of the match an AK-47 assault rifle as part of a new tradition.
The management of the club from Higher Hockey League Izhstal handed goalkeeper Savely Kononov the first symbolic prize this weekend.
Izhstal are from the city of Izhevsk, where the world-famous Kalashnikov Group Concern is located.
After each home match, the team's best player of the match will receive a Kalashnikov assault rifle for personal use.
Following Izhstal's 3-2 victory over Chelmet, the award was introduced in the changing room by team manager Ramil Sayfullin.
He appeared in the locker room with the gun, cocked the weapon and announced that the it would go to the best player who would be chosen by the hockey players themselves.
He also specified that the trophy will be moved from one player to another.
The team's managers reportedly claim the creative tradition will improve the atmosphere in the team.
The Izhevsk team is in second place in Russia's Supreme Hockey League (Vysshaya hokkeinaya liga, or VHL in Russian), with five points in three matches.
Internet users have speculated about what might happen should the team lose.
'Yura G' said: "And if you lose, then the worst player will be shot with this assault rifle ?"
While 'Edgar Terz' said: "They will kill each other there."
