The RIHF is working over the project of a league for players between the ages of 15-17

In the interests of increasing the level of players between the ages of 15 and 17, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation is working over the project of a new competition named the Russian Hockey League. The project is designed to create a high level tournament for the best Russian young players. The full championship allows candidates for the U16, U17 and U18 Russian national teams to gain enough playing time with a high level of competition.

This isn’t the first year when the RIHF has been looking at the issue of young players leaving for youth ice hockey leagues in North America. On average, around 400 players from the age of 12 to 21 leave Russian during a season. Players aged 16 and 17 make up the majority of those who leave. Their departure has a negative effect on the development of Russian ice hockey. More than a half of the players which leave either finish playing ice hockey, or lose their flair and return to Russia unable to play at their previous level.

One of the reasons why players leave is the lack of high level competition in the period of time when a player leaves the academy, but hasn’t yet secured a professional contract. In the MHL, older players have the biggest roles within their respective teams, and even if the younger guys do manage to play in the league, they don’t have enough playing time. The creation of a new championship will solve this problem. An important condition of the new league is competition. When staying in the country, in the familiar atmosphere for the training process which is designed to develop the player’s ability, young players will find it easier to fully use their potential.

At this moment in time, the map of the new league is being formed, while work is ongoing concerning the amount of teams in the league, the geography and the economic aspect. The complete RHL project will be submitted for approval by the RIHF Board.