Russian Major League
The Major Hockey League (Russian: Высшая хоккейная лига (ВХЛ), Vysshaya hokkeinaya liga (VHL)),[1] also known as the Supreme Hockey League[2] and Higher Hockey League (HHL)[3], and until 2010 simply the Major League, is a professional ice hockey league in Eurasia, and the second highest level of Russian hockey. Though currently acting independently, plans were in place to convert it to a farm system for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)'s 2010–11 season.[4] Prior to the KHL's creation, it held a relegation role for the Russian Superleague and Soviet League (where it was classified Class-A 2nd division). As of 2011–12 season some VHL teams are affiliated with a KHL team (e.g. HC Sarov is affiliated with KHL's Torpedo), while other teams of the VHL are not affiliated with a KHL team.
In 2010 the league's ownership was transferred from the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia to a separate body. The name of the league also changed from Vysshaya liga to Vysshaya Hokkeinaya Liga.
Transition to KHL
It is believed that the league will become more of a developmental league. Only seven players over the age of 29 will be allowed onto each team's roster. With no promotion/relegation system set in place with the new Kontinental Hockey League, it has been speculated that most teams in the league will eventually become farm teams of the KHL teams.
Teams in 2011–12
|
Russian Major League |
Western Conference |
Team |
City |
Arena |
Capacity |
KHL Affiliate Team(s) |
MHL Affiliate Team(s) |
Founded |
Joined league |
Ariada-Akpars Volzhsk |
Volzhsk |
Ariada Ice Palace |
2,250 |
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk |
|
2003 |
Dynamo Tver |
Tver[5] |
Yubileyny Sport Palace Tver[5] |
2,000 |
UHC Dynamo |
Sherif |
2010 |
Dizel Penza |
Penza |
Ice Sports Palace Penza |
5,200 |
Severstal Cherepovets |
|
1955 |
2004 |
HC Donbass |
Donetsk |
Arena-Druzhba Donetsk |
4,130 |
|
|
2005 |
2011 |
HC Ryazan |
Ryazan |
Ryazan Olympic Sports Palace |
2,700 |
Atlant Moscow Oblast |
Mytischenskie Atlanty |
1955 |
2007 |
HC VMF St. Petersburg |
Saint Petersburg |
Yubileyny Sports Palace |
7,000 |
SKA Saint Petersburg |
SKA-1946 |
2008 |
HC Sarov |
Sarov |
Sarov Ice Palace |
1,200 |
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod |
Chaika |
2002 |
2009 |
Kristall Saratov |
Saratov |
Ice Sports Palace Saratov |
5,000 |
|
|
1948 |
1998 |
Lada Togliatti |
Tolyatti |
Volgar Sports Palace |
2,900 |
|
Ladia |
1976 |
2010 |
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl[note] |
Yaroslavl |
Arena 2000 |
9,070 |
N/A |
Loko |
1959 |
2011 |
Neftyanik Almetyevsk |
Almetyevsk |
Yubileinyi Sports Palace |
2,200 |
Ak Bars Kazan |
Bars |
1965 |
2001 |
PHC Krylya Sovetov |
Moscow |
Soviet Wings Sport Palace |
5,500 |
HC Spartak Moscow |
Krylya Sovetov |
1947 |
2007 |
Titan Klin |
Klin |
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
Eastern Conference |
Team |
City |
Arena |
Capacity |
KHL Affiliate Team(s) |
MHL Affiliate Team(s) |
Founded |
Joined league |
Ermak Angarsk |
Angarsk |
Ermak Stadium |
6,900 |
Metallurg Novokuznetsk |
|
1958 |
2007 |
Izhstal Izhevsk |
Izhevsk |
Sports Palace Izhstal |
3,900 |
|
|
1949 |
2006 |
Kazzinc-Torpedo |
Oskemen, East Kaz. |
Commercial Center of Sport |
4,400 |
|
|
1955 |
2001 |
Molot-Prikamye Perm |
Perm |
Universal Sports Palace |
7,000 |
|
|
1948 |
2006 |
Mechel Chelyabinsk |
Chelyabinsk |
Mechel Sport Palace |
2,800 |
Traktor Chelyabinsk |
Belye Medvedi |
1948 |
2003 |
Rubin Tyumen |
Tyumen |
Sports Palace Tyumen |
3,300 |
|
MHC Gazovik |
1995 |
2000 |
Sokol Krasnoyarsk |
Krasnoyarsk |
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
Sputnik Nizhny Tagil |
Nizhny Tagil |
V.K. of Sotnikova Vmest |
4,200 |
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg |
|
1948 |
2002 |
Toros Neftekamsk |
Neftekamsk |
Ice Palace Neftekamsk |
2,000 |
Salavat Yulaev Ufa |
Tolpar |
1998 |
2006 |
Zauralie Kurgan |
Kurgan |
Mostovik |
2,500 |
Sibir Novosibirsk |
Sibirskie Snaypery |
1994 |
2003 |
Yuzhny Ural Orsk |
Orsk |
Ice Palace Rostoshi |
4,600 |
Metallurg Magnitogorsk |
Stalnye Lisy |
1996 |
2006 |
|
- 1.^ Will play in the VHL for the 2011–12 season only.
- Although HC Lipetsk were admitted into the league for the 2010–11 season, the team withdrew from the league before the start of the season due to financial difficulties.
Vysshaya Liga (FHR) Champions
Vysshaya hokkeinaya liga Champions
See also
References
External links
Russian Major League (ice hockey)
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Teams |
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Trophies and awards |
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