KHL

The KHL, the Kontinental Hockey League, is the top professional league in Russia and is generally regarded as the second-strongest league in the world after the NHL. The KHL was founded in 2008 and has 22 clubs across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and China for 2026-27. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl won the Gagarin Cup in 2025 and again in 2026.

Founded	2008, succeeding the Russian Superleague
Teams	22, in four countries
Playoff trophy	Gagarin Cup
Regular-season trophy	Continental Cup
2026 champion	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, back to back
Most titles	Ak Bars, CSKA and Metallurg, three each
Note	The NHL suspended its agreement with the KHL in 2022

Fans worry about Alexander Ovechkin’s future after KHL remark

There is a lot to say about this!

Police dog turns KHL puck drop into hilarious chaos

2 minutes for unsportsdoglike conduct!

Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner mocked by Chinese KHL team

Their hilarious chirp now goes viral!

Alex Ovechkin wears patch honoring Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

‘The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and the Washington Capitals are up against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Eastern Conference. On Monday, the Caps took an early lead in the series ...

KHL player dropped a phone during a shift

KHL player accidentally drops phone on the ice during shift

Bizarre incident in Russia!

Evgeny Kuznetsov scores one of the wildest goals of all time

This is absolutely incredible

Former prospect and AHL player suspected for murder, on the run from police after allegedly stabbing man to death

Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov moved to the US to play for Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL in 2017. He stayed in the States for three seasons and even went to the AHL, where he played two ...

The U.S. Embassy begs American players to leave the KHL immediately after issuing new security alert

Since Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, the KHL has been almost emptied of foreign players. No player from Czech Republic will play in the league this season, and the same goes for Finland. Meanwhile, ...

Former Capitals forward almost knocks out his own teammate, following goal celebration

Few things can beat the feeling of scoring an awesome goal. Sometimes it includes a great setup like the Soviet in the 80’s and other times it might be a great individual effort, including dangles. ...

Vyacheslav Gretsky didn’t want to wear No. 99

Playing in the KHL, the Belarusian forward tells the story to The Hockey Beast.