Two Chinese clubs set to join Russian-led ice hockey league

The Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), an international professional ice hockey league, is seeking to expand into China, according to a recent report by Tass, the Russian news agency. Two Chinese ice hockey clubs will be allowed to join KHL, the broadcaster reported yesterday, citing Vyacheslav Fetisov, a member of the KHL board of directors. 

The Russia-led KHL comprises 28 member clubs based in Russia, Belarus, Croatia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Slovakia. It has a long-term plan to expand into more countries. In May this year it was reported by Associated Press that the league was hoping to use a successful Chinese Winter Olympic bid as a catalyst for expansion in China.

Now that China is going to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the development of ice hockey within the country has become an urgent necessity. Fetisov believes that the KHL may include at least two teams from China. The teams would be able to recruit local and foreign players, the director added, noting that Russia is ready to help with hockey development in China.

Source: Tass & Associated Press

Proofread by John Devlin