Chinese Team Confirmed in Kontinental Hockey League

[doniceage]

The Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League has confirmed that it will add a Chinese club next season as it competes against the NHL in Asian markets.

The move means the 2022 Winter Olympic host city of Beijing now has a team in what is widely regarded as the strongest league outside the NHL. However, it is likely to rely almost exclusively on foreign pros rather than Asian players.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireSto...eague-40124815

[creasecollector]

Very interesting. Nice to see the game expanding!

[doniceage]

Very interesting. Nice to see the game expanding!

In one of the biggest markets possible.

Don

[Rraincock]

You know, I like that there is an international feel to hockey that isn't... B-rate.

Imagine a Canada-Cup style event where the NHL plays against the KHL for an all star sort of game... I would see that!

[30ranfordfan]

The Red Army tours used to work, because you had the top Russians playing together year round, and they were really good.

The KHL might be the second best league in the world, but I can't imagine their Champion having much of a shot against an NHL team that's actually fielding it's real players (rather than treating it like the exhibition game it would be).

There's a handful of players in the entire league that would come to the NHL and be considered "impact" players here.



I think it's a good thing that the KHL is expanding to China though. The world largest market.... exposing them more to hockey is a good thing. I believe the Bejing Olympics in 2022 is the ONLY reason the NHL is still considering going to the 2018 games in South Korea.

You know, I like that there is an international feel to hockey that isn't... B-rate.

Imagine a Canada-Cup style event where the NHL plays against the KHL for an all star sort of game... I would see that!

[Sharky94]

With all those people, it's only a matter of time before we start seeing some in the AHL. I'd say no less than 15 years, if not 10.