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New Russian-based league flexes its muscles

SHAWN MCCARTHY

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 12:36 PM EDT 22/05/08

New Continental Hockey League is set to ice 24 teams in September ...Read the full article

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  1. slapdash dapoint from trawna, Canada writes: this should be good... russian political mafia hockey league. wouldn't want to be a part of any winning team that isn't favoured by putin and his buddies
  2. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: I know of a good Commissioner who might be looking for a job in a couple of years, His 'initials' are Gary Bettman.
  3. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: It would be nice if one of the tv networks picked up a few of these games, even tape delayed. I'd love to see the caliber of play they're putting out there.
  4. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: I give it one season. Then it will be another headstone in the graveyard of sports startups.
  5. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada: now THAT is funny!!

    Thanks for the larf.

    Having said that, good luck to this new league. Personally, I think the NHL should have been looking into the European market ages ago. Instead the NHL is more interested in 'hockey hotbeds' like Phoenix and Atlanta.
  6. Juan Valasquez from Scarborough, Canada writes: The Mafia will have their hands all over this league.
    The Putin backed KGB Kosmonautskayev's will go undefeated, and Gary Bettman will be puppet commissioner on no time.

    I'm betting that Traktor Chelyabinsk will have a breakout season led by veteran workhorse Yuri Andropotev.

    Then again, Arkangelsk is looking pretty good this year...
  7. Matt O from Canada writes: You guys keep making Russian mafia jokes, but how much worse are the current bunch of corporate criminals that own NHL franchises at the moment? Eugene Melnyk has already been indicted on fraud charges, if I recall (don't mean to bash on the Sens again, but it's the first example that came to mind).

    Of course, much like the province of Alberta, this league will only stand as long as oil prices hold up. If/when they fall (due to a fairly inevitable global economic downturn) expect both Albertans and the players in this new league to flock back to Ontario for jobs.

    Having said that, competition is something the NHL could sorely use. I don't like the oil money connections, but good luck to the new league anyway.
  8. mats naslund from Canada writes: with stars like John Graham and Chris Simon, how could it lose? They may get older european players who want to be closer to home and will pull in big bucks, but the world knows where the best hockey is played.
  9. Ron Greenham from Canada writes: I really don't think the NHL has a whole lot to be concerned about for at least a few years. If John Grahame and Chris Simon are the NHL players jumping to join the new league, just how great can the quality of play be? In a few years, with NHL assistance and NHL quality coaching, the new league would probably earn the right to be a third (maybe second) level feeder system to the NHL. The Canadian junior leagues and the Scandinavian leagues will not be overtaken any time soon.
  10. andrei de souza from Canada writes: This is fantastic for the sport of hockey. Hopefully, this league will be a success and prosper so that there will be an alternative to that other foreign based league: the NHL.
  11. Legman22 In Montreal from Montreal, Canada writes: Personally, I think there's more to this story than what's being told. We automatically dismiss the idea that a non-NHL league can grow and prosper simply from the failings of the WHA and other start-up leagues that never got off the ground. What I think is really happening here is that the Russian federation and the NHL are in cahoots, secretly establishing this new league. Just think..it saves the NHL a ton of money in setting up a European division with all the legwork done under 'foreign' control. In 10 years, we'll have the World Cup of hockey between the champions of North America and Europe...with all the proceeds lining the pockets of all the owners...along with even more outlandish ticket prices and distain for the regular fan. And the Laffs will still be looking for a GM!
  12. Piet F from Canada writes: I think it's a very North America-centric view of sport to think that only one league in any one sport can be world class. Hockey has a number of very strong (and large) markets around the world - unlike basketball, baseball and American Football which are only popular in their home market (USA/Canada) or one or two other smaller markets (baseball and basketball). Hockey is very popular in the rich Northern European market which made it ripe for another league to set up shop in the current marketplace which is fractured by smaller hockey leagues in individual countries. With the return of Russia on the world stage, it's only logical that the big oil companies and the state would take a major interest in fuelling a very popular sport. Assuming that they are able to sign the players - then this league will be successful. Financing is not a major issue in Russia as it is in upstart leagues in North America. More importantly, this doesn't mean the end of the NHL but rather a good way to improve the global reach of hockey. Having two leagues for young people to aspire to moves the game closer to the global nature of football (the real kind - not gridiron) where there are many national leagues who can compete on a level playing field. The Spanish, Italian and English leagues have all had success on the European and World stage in equal measure. I would love to see this league succeed and force the NHL to realise that it's not a monopoly. Eventually the true 'World Series' of hockey could take place between the champions of the two leagues. What an event that would be!
  13. R W from Canada writes: Lets send them the whole Leafs organization. Start from scratch in Toronto.
  14. No Comment from United States writes: This sounds less like a new league than a new name for an existing league (Russian Super League) plus four expansion teams. Maybe that Medvedev knows a thing or two about playing the media?
  15. Craig Fisher from Canada writes: Matt O...let me guess that you are from Toronto, you my friend are a stellar example of the 'Ontario is the centre of the world' stereotype.

    I agree with Taras Bulba about the cold war mentality...i dont find these comments intelligent or funny...maybe because i was barely alive during the reign of the Soviet Union.

    I would love to ship off Gary Bettman...maybe then communities with a passion for hockey will be able to recieve franchises (Ballsillie support). How about a European Conference and a NORTH american confrence (i.e. not atlanta or nashville)...Hey, its not like the eastern conference teams visit the west regularly anyway.
  16. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: 'Commissar Bettman' has a nicr ring to it. Sorry Taras Bulba for my cold-war mentality. Thank God Vladimir Putin shed his cold-war mentality. Isn't it about time to poison someone in London?
  17. Matt O from Canada writes: Craig Fisher, I was just joking around with my comments, though I understand how they could be taken seriously. I'm actually surprised it took so long to generate a reaction. I am really a Habs fan, though I will be an official Torontonian by the end of the week (not looking forward to the swarms of Leafs fans).

    Piet F, you make many good points, though you understimate the popularity of other sports, particularly baseball, in other countries. Baseball probably has a larger global fan base than hockey, if you add up all those big Asian and Latin American countries. Baseball leagues thrive in Japan and (I believe) Korea, and would do so in Latin America if they could afford to set them up.

    Also, while I think Russian mafia jokes tend to be rather tasteless, I don't think it's paranoid to make Russian gov't-Gazprom-mafia links at all. Mind you, I think Russia's return to the world stage is a good thing...hopefully the more corrupt aspects of this growth will be smoothed out in time.
  18. No Comment from United States writes: Piet F writes: "...Eventually the true 'World Series' of hockey could take place between the champions of the two leagues...."

    Isn't that what the Winter Olympics are? Or maybe it's the yearly IIHF World Championship, or the IIHF Junior Championship, or...

    I like hockey and have no problem with a Russian league or a Swedish league or whatever league. But, please god forbid there be another "world championship". No one cares about the IIHF World Championship as it is. Can't we all get along without another bullsh!t, time waster, money grubbing, hockey championship.

    Besides, the NHL would have nothing to gain, it's already the top-dog of hockey. Many players already play well over a hundred games a season -- it would be difficult to get guys interested in yet another series.
  19. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: As far as being competitive with the NHL - that will depend on the contracts. If the pay is competitive, the league will be.

    It's already stolen a few lesser names - perezhogin (sp), Zheredev when he was holding out, Simon and Grahame (big deal). If a player can get more money in the Russian Super...err Continental league, than they would in the NHL, there's a good chance they will end up there.

    Would be nice to see some competition. A champions league of hockey would be great for the sport (to reiterate Piet F)
  20. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: This is good for hockey. More kids who cannot make the NHL will have a place to play competive hockey and earn a living at something they love. Not all Memorial Cup winners can make in on this side of the ocean so another top flight league only adds to the growth of the sport.

    I also heard that the Russians intend to build up to 200 rinks in the next 4 years to rebuild thier hockey program. That more than I can say for old out of date arenas crumbling in Canada. Trekiak and Fetisov are determined to get back the the Red Army Machine days.
  21. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: No Comment from United States-

    Those championships that you named are based on competition between National teams.

    A championship of Club teams would be very interesting, I think.

    The 82 game season currently played in the NHL is too long. If they shortened the season, then you wouldn't have teams playing over a 100 games, and you wouldn't get the hard to sell mid-Jan games. '

    This is all wishfull thinking, and many years down the road, if at all.
  22. Paul Holmes from Canada writes: I have been following this for a long time. It is a race to Europe.
    NHL are having exhibition games in Europe for future expansion there.
    Russian league games are quite boring actually for the average NA hockey, but the caliber is getting better every year. The biggest problem is that they lack quality arenas to hold a decent fan base. When I watched a game, it was like being in small city WHL arena. Ticket prices would definitely not cover the cost the players. Scalpers are regularly there giving away tickets under face value and they are not filling arena at these prices. The game I was at had seating for 4000 and maybe had 1500 fans. Cities like Omsk and Kazan are the power houses of hockey in Russia

    But for the Russian companies, it is about winning and quality. I think Datyasiuk was offered a millionaire dollar contract before coming back to Detroit. Many players in the Russian league will not bother to come here, because they earns as much there as being star than being 4th player or minor in Canada. if you had add the damage from the physical play and shorten career and chance to be a star in your own country, then you will see why the trend.

    Whether countries like Czech, Latvia and so on are willing to let the Russians in and control the game, that is a big if. Why would someone want to own a team with a league of Abromvich or Steinbrenners in which every year, they go out to buy a team. The fact that most Europeans do not trust the Oligarchs or the Russian way of bending rules. If the NHL does not provide an Europeon alternative, the Russians will move in.
  23. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: I am sure AHL players are already looking at this. Hockey is not a growing sport however and I am not sure why anyone would create a secondary league other than out of pride and a quick cash grab (a la Vince McMahon and the defunct XFL).
  24. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Paul I from Rochester NY, United States, off topic a bit but you have the Senior PGA in your city this weekend. Watching it in Hi Def right now, the Shark, Watson, Nick Price, de boys are in your city. If it was me, I'd be out there watchin em. Going to the Memorial in Dublin OH in a few weeks, bus load of guys going for 2 rounds, Fri and Sat. Enjoy watchin the real guys play. Better than my Sat morning buddies, the whak and tak bunch.... Cheers.
  25. C C from Canada writes: This is good timing for the KHL, with the Champions Hockey League starting up next season too. An international club competition with clout is what the sport needs. The old IIHF Euro Cup only allowed the top 6 hockey countries send their clubs; the new format is much more expansive and can only improve the level of play across Europe.

    If the Victoria Cup was done properly, it would pit the Champions Hockey League winner against the Stanley Cup winner. At the moment, it's simply the European champion versus some invited NHL teams.
  26. r paul from vancouver, Canada writes: This could be bad news for NHL Fans. With big pocket books in Russia and salary caps in place for the NHL, I could see some big contracts being offered to lure NHL players to Russia. It could hurt an NHL team big time to lose some of their RFA`s without any compensation.
  27. Mark S from Canada writes: Maybe they'd consider expanding to Vegas or Kansas City? No, they wouldn't be that stupid.
  28. Al Gonquin from Down South, Canada writes: These Russian 'entrepeneurs' really do have bags of money. Regardless of where it comes from, there are an awful lot of people, including professional hockey players, who are motivated by the chance to haul some of it in, just like the rest of us. What might be even more attractive is playing at home, or least closer to home - the Red Wings, for example, have 11 European players on their roster! Who would have thought that we would be seeing guys like Malkin. Hossa, et al, playing for a Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh, of all places! To suggest that there might some day be a return flow, is not, in my opinion, so far-fetched, and might evev be good thing.
  29. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Remember when Bobby Hull signed with the WHA Winnipeg Jets?
    They said (back then) the WHA wouldn't last the first year.
    But NHL superiority came to an end with a tour by The Red Army.
    WHA became equal by beating the same Russians that beat the NHL
    Nordiques gone to Colorado.
    Jets gone to Phoenix.
    Vancouver WHA went broke because of Vancouver NHL
    Edmonton Oilers were the most successful of the WHA clubs.
    What was it, three (or 2) Stanley Cups for The City of Champions?

    Think the WHA did last more than just a year.
    And hopefully so will the Russian Super League.

    Don't get mad at me C of U people--
    But dream of living to see REAL WORLD HOCKEY someday.
    Stanley Cup winner versus Asia/European Cup winner.
    Perhaps a five game winner in a nine game series.
  30. Rob C from Canada writes: Oh, please - there isn't enough talent in the poole for one major 30 team league - this will be a league made up of 'OK' AHLers and 'too small for the NHL' Europeans. This dog wont hunt, unless they're starved for third rate hockey over there
  31. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: There was a mention of Bobby Hull and the WHA on an earlier post. This continental league needs to sign one or two current stars and the cat is amongst the pigeons. This 'new' league doesn't have a cap, and if the owners are willing to pour money into it over the long haul, it will change the face of professional hockey.

    Television revenue will be the key to the survival of this league. If the Russians can flog this to Sky Sports 7 or whatever, it will get a wider distribution than what the NHL gets in the US.

    This will go three ways - two or three separate leagues looking for a Champions playoff, separate professional leagues with no interaction or something that has never happened in sports - a world league.

    The problem with a world league is a number of those living in the US will see this as an offshoot of the UN and refuse to participate in a world government exercise - this ensures that there will never be a Montana Unabombers in the NHL.
  32. Piet F from Canada writes: Rob C makes a point in the lack of a talent pool for another 30 team league. However, since this is an extension of the Russian SuperLeague, it is really just an expansion rebranded and refinanced to place an existing product on the world stage. Each of those Russian SuperLeague teams already has a good talen pool and many have NHL caliber players. This has been the source of the dispute with the NHL of player contracts.

    While Rob's right in saying that overall talent could be diluted, saying that the KHL will either not be competitive or die because of it is missing the point. The talent WILL be diluted (at least in the short term) because of Eastern Europeans deciding to play closer to home for the same money in at a similar level of play. Smaller name North Americans will probably also make the jump (like Simon and Grahame) to fill out rosters for a bit more cash in the early years. Perhaps this will show the weakness of the NHL and finally result in a contraction. The 30 teams already dilute talent!
  33. D W from Switzerland writes: Two thirds of the players on the recent world champion Team Russia (you could look it up) play in the Russian league. Not bad for "OK AHLers". There is loads of talent o and money over there now. Maybe the new Russian league could put teams in Quebec City and Winnipeg while they are at it.

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