The KHL and the RIHF are looking over the possibility of changing the MHL's structure

Along with the KHL, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation are looking into the possibility of taking the MHL under its wing. This would be in the interests of developing ice hockey amoung children and youths.

The MHL championship is the first serious experience for a young player who has graduated from ice hockey school. If the MHL-B championship, the back-up tournament to the main MHL league, will be run under the guidance of the RIHF, it will help increase interest to the competition from different regions which do not have MHL representatives. This will in turn encourage children to start playing the sport.

Vladislav Tretyak, RIHF president:

- For the RIHF, it is prerogative that the devlopment of ice hockey as a mass sport continues. This will in turn develop professional players' quality, and help boost the reserves for clubs and the national teams. MHL-B competing clubs can become directly involved in the support of young players, and help nuture these young players with schools, Olympic reserves and the strategy of the development of ice hockey in the Russian Federation.

Alexei Morozov, MHL director:

- Going under the RIHF's wing would be a logical step in the development of youth ice hockey, and this begins from grassroots ice hockey. These players can then go through hockey schools and make the professional step up to the MHL and junior Russian national teams.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation