The Supreme Hockey League [ 1] [ 2] (Russian: Высшая хоккейная лига (ВХЛ) , Vysshaya hokkeinaya liga (VHL ) ), also known as the Major Hockey League [ 3] [ 4] or Higher Hockey League (HHL ),[ 5] 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 .[ 6] It was preceded by the Major League of the Russian Championship (Vysshaya Liga) that formerly held a relegation role for the Russian Superleague , and was governed by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia . 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.
Transition to KHL [ edit ]
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.
Russian Classic [ edit ]
Russian Classic (Russian: Русская классика, Russkaya klassika ) is an outdoor ice hockey game during the Supreme Hockey League season.
Bolded teams denote winners
Seasons overview [ edit ]
Teams in 2013–14 [ edit ]
Team
City
Arena
Capacity
KHL Affiliate Team(s)
MHL Affiliate Team(s)
Founded
Joined league
Ariada Volzhsk
Volzhsk
Ariada Ice Palace
2,250
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Kuznetskie Medvedi
1996
2010
Buran Voronezh
Voronezh
LDS Jubileiny
3,040
Atlant Moscow Oblast
Atlanty
Rossosh
1977
2012
Chelmet Chelyabinsk
Chelyabinsk
Yunost Sport Palace
3,650
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Belye Medvedi
1948
2012
Dizel Penza
Penza
Dizel Arena
5,500
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Loko
Dizelist
1956
2010
Dynamo Balashikha
Balashikha
Balashikha Arena
6,500
Dynamo Moscow
HC MVD
2010
2010
Ermak Angarsk
Angarsk
Arena Ermak
6,900
Avangard Omsk
Omskie Yatreby
Angarsky Ermak
1958
2010
Izhstal Izhevsk
Izhevsk
Sports Palace Izhstal
3,900
Severstal Cherepovets
Almaz
Izhevskaya Stal
1958
2010
Kazzinc-Torpedo
Oskemen
Boris Alexandrov Sport Palace
4,400
Independent
Independent
1956
2010
Kristall Saratov
Saratov
Ice Sports Palace Saratov
5,000
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
MHC Reaktor
Kristall-Yunior
1955
2010
Kuban Krasnodar
Krasnodar
Ice Palace
3,100
CSKA Moscow
Krasnaya Armiya
Berkuty Kubani
2012
2012
Lada Togliatti
Tolyatti
Lada Arena
6,100
HC Yugra
Mamonty Yugry
Ladia
1976
2010
HC Lipetsk
Lipetsk
Zvezdny Ice Palace
2,100
Independent
Elta
1979
2013
Molot-Prikamye Perm
Perm
Universal Sports Palace Molot
6,000
Independent
Molot
1949
2010
Neftyanik Almetyevsk
Almetyevsk
Yubileinyi Sports Palace
2,200
Ak Bars Kazan
Bars
Sputnik
1965
2010
Rubin Tyumen
Tyumen
Sports Palace Tyumen
3,300
Admiral Vladivostok
Tyumensky Legion
1972
2010
HC Ryazan
Ryazan
Ryazan Olympic Sports Palace
2,700
Independent
Molnia
1999
2010
HC Sarov
Sarov
Sarov Ice Palace
1,200
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Chaika
Raketa
2002
2010
Saryarka Karagandy
Karagandy
Karagandy Arena
5,500
Barys Astana
Kazakhmys
2006
2012
Sokol Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk
Arena Sever
2,600
Spartak Moscow
MHC Spartak
Krasnoyarskie Rysi
2008
2011
Sputnik Nizhny Tagil
Nizhny Tagil
Sotnikov Ice Sports Palace
4,200
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
Avto
Yunior-Sputnik
1948
2010
THK Tver
Tver
Ice Palace Yubileyny
1,980
Independent
Tverichi
1949
2012
Titan Klin
Klin
Valeri Kharlamov Ice Palace
1,500
Vityaz Podolsk
Russkie Vityazi
MHC Klin
1953
2011
Toros Neftekamsk
Neftekamsk
Ice Palace Neftekamsk
1,900
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Tolpar
Batyr
1998
2010
VMF Karelia
Kondopoga
Ice Palace Kondopoga
1,850
SKA Saint Petersburg
SKA-1946
2008
2010
Yuzhny Ural Orsk
Orsk
Ice Palace Yubileyny
4,500
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Stalnye Lisy
Metallurg Mednogorsk
1958
2010
Zauralie Kurgan
Kurgan
Ice Sports Palace Mostovik
2,500
Sibir Novosibirsk
Sibirskie Snaipery
Yunior
1993
2010
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
External links [ edit ]
Supreme Hockey League
2012–13 teams
VL seasons
VHL seasons
Related articles
Last season teams
IHL seasons
RSL seasons
Related articles
National teams
Active leagues
Defunct leagues
Statistics
Africa, Middle East, Oceania
Americas
Asia
Europe (International)
Europe (National)
Defunct leagues