khl

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008 and headquartered in Moscow, Russia. It was created to serve as the premier level of professional hockey in Russia and the wider post-Soviet region, replacing the Russian Superleague as the top tier of competition. The league features franchises primarily based in Russia, with additional teams from neighboring countries in Europe and Asia.

Membership and geography: Over the years, KHL teams have included clubs from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Latvia, among others. The roster of participating clubs has evolved through expansion, relocation, and occasional withdrawals, reflecting the league’s cross-border structure. The geographic footprint aims to balance regional development with high-level competition and financial sustainability for participating clubs.

Competition format: A typical KHL season combines a regular season with a postseason playoff. Teams earn points through the regular season standings to qualify for the playoffs, where series are contested to determine the league champion, who is awarded the Gagarin Cup. The Gagarin Cup is named in honor of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, and serves as the league’s championship trophy.

Status and role: The KHL is widely regarded as one of the leading professional hockey leagues outside North America and functions as a significant platform for regional talent development and international player movement. It attracts players from Russia, Europe, North America, and other regions, and it serves as a gateway for players to advance to higher levels of competition or return to the NHL and other major leagues. The league also supports junior and development pathways associated with its clubs.