Ukraine - New Pro League to start this year

Ukraine launches new league - Professional Hockey League opens with nine teams (http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/ukraine-launches-new-league.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=10&cHash=3cd2e80478)

The league size goes up from seven to nine and could see an increase to up to 12 teams in the future. The teams entered for the 2011-2012 season are: Donbass Donetsk, Sokil Kyiv, Kompanion Kyiv, Bily Bars Brovary, Vorony Sumy, Berkut Kyiv, Kharkivski Akuly, Tsunami Ivano-Frankivsk, LAZ Lviv.

The new league will kick off on 16th September. The league’s General Director Yuri Zagorodni explained at a press conference that there will be no salary cap, but a minimum budget of $300,000. The assembly approved other requirements such as arena standards, and clubs are obliged to run junior teams or to be affiliated with hockey schools. Each team is allowed to sign up to seven import players.

Does it mean that Donbass will skate two teams? One in this league and another in VHL?

Holy Mackeral!. The wonders never cease with hfBoards. Followed your link Billy. Had no idea there was a section dedicated to Eastern European Leagues. That thread on the boh boards should be here Im thinking.

Does it mean that Donbass will skate two teams? One in this league and another in VHL?

yes, you are correct

Holy Mackeral!. The wonders never cease with hfBoards. Followed your link Billy. Had no idea there was a section dedicated to Eastern European Leagues. That thread on the boh boards should be here Im thinking.

Glad I could help. Endless discoveries in the HFBoards. I recently discovered the "Page 2". But agreed, the thread should be in here, not in the 'business of hockey'.

300k minimum is a good starting point I think, the UK hockey league is something like 300-450k maximum salaries. Also limiting teams to 7 imports is smart, local players will get to develop, seems like a good step for Ukrainian hockey.

yes, you are correct

any word on how this will be done? like how Sokil has a tier-2 squad for the regular season, but then drops the big boys from the belarusian league in for the playoffs?

or will players play in both, depending on scheduling?

any word on how this will be done? like how Sokil has a tier-2 squad for the regular season, but then drops the big boys from the belarusian league in for the playoffs?or will players play in both, depending on scheduling?

It is my understanding that Sokil Kyiv will only play in the Ukrainian professional league this year and not play in the Belarussian league.

yeah, i meant how they handled it in years past


i've been digging and i found an alternate roster listing for Donbas, but some players (namely, ukrainian ones) are listed on both the UHL roster and the official VHL roster on hcdonbass.com

so....the plot thickens....i guess we'll find out once the ukie league opens and we get some score sheets

regarding the teams in the league, there's a discrepancy between the IIHF article and the Ukie hockey federation's website

http://www.fhu.com.ua/

fed lists Hadamaky (Vinnitsia) and the Lviv team as the Lions (Levy)

IIHF mentions "LAZ Lviv", Tsunami I-F, and Verony Sumy

pD4LMj3FNLk

1:32 love seeing fights like this, not the slow dancing-hugging **** the NHL has created

Nikolishin has signed with Sokol.

yeah, they were talking for the last week, really surprised to see this happen

i thought sokil was going broke

yeah, they were talking for the last week, really surprised to see this happen

i thought sokil was going broke

i heard that the federation is giving clubs some money, and for NIkolishin it's probably a way to gracefully retire)

Nikolishin with a goal and assist in his debut

i had no idea Nikolishin was Ukrainian, makes the signing that much cooler :yo:

i had no idea Nikolishin was Ukrainian

Since when he is Ukrainian?

I found a couple of interviews. Apparently his father was exiled from Ukraine to work coal mines in Komi during the Purges (when he died they sent the body back to Ukraine). He has a bunch of Ukrainian relatives living in Edmonton now too apparently.

I want to kill the web designer for the PHL site

I mean, aside from it being god awful, but now the schmuck can't decide if he's using Ukrainian or Russian (site and player names are translated to Russian, team names and official stuff, position, countries, etc. is in Ukrainian....wtf.)


edit: there's no way this can be official, he's lifting the team logos from wikipedia

I want to kill the web designer for the PHL site

I mean, aside from it being god awful, but now the schmuck can't decide if he's using Ukrainian or Russian (site and player names are translated to Russian, team names and official stuff, position, countries, etc. is in Ukrainian....wtf.)


edit: there's no way this can be official, he's lifting the team logos from wikipedia

lol, I think they must support both languages, as Ukrainian hockey is somewhat integrating into the KHL/VHL/MHL system and Russian fans, such as myslef, may wanna know the state of affairs in Ukraine, even though I understand a lot of Ukrainina it gives me head-ache, lol

I want to kill the web designer for the PHL site

I mean, aside from it being god awful, but now the schmuck can't decide if he's using Ukrainian or Russian (site and player names are translated to Russian, team names and official stuff, position, countries, etc. is in Ukrainian....wtf.)


edit: there's no way this can be official, he's lifting the team logos from wikipedia

This pathetic web-page is the only thing stopping me from following the UPL :(

lol, I think they must support both languages, as Ukrainian hockey is somewhat integrating into the KHL/VHL/MHL system and Russian fans, such as myslef, may wanna know the state of affairs in Ukraine, even though I understand a lot of Ukrainina it gives me head-ache, lol

No, by all means it should come in both languages....but this is coming in both at the same time. You can't mix alphabets! (as similar as they are) :laugh:

Webmaster made a poll for the site....guy needs a reality check
http://all-hockey.org.ua/showthread.php?4-%CE%F6%E5%ED%EA%E0-%F1%E0%E9%F2%E0

This pathetic web-page is the only thing stopping me from following the UPL :(

I just use iSport for all my updates / standings

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine.html

I just use iSport for all my updates / standings

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine.html

oh, nice site, thanks.

Miss HC Donbass <3

http://hcdonbass.com/upload/iblock/825/825a3fd44a6aec52c2910bdcd8d77c0e.jpg

http://hcdonbass.com/home/news/news/6968?lang=ru

Ms. Katrina Zemlianaya

Miss HC Donbass <3

http://hcdonbass.com/upload/iblock/825/825a3fd44a6aec52c2910bdcd8d77c0e.jpg

http://hcdonbass.com/home/news/news/6968?lang=ru

Ms. Katrina Zemlianaya

what makes here miss HC Donbass? no attributes, nothing, a bra and a cute face - probably a model.

Will there be a team in Zakarpattia? I was there this summer it's an awesome oblast. Spent lots of time in Mukachevo and Uzhgorod.

i doubt for a while...entirely depends on sponsors


anyway, new site
http://www.phl-ua.com/

i doubt for a while...entirely depends on sponsors


anyway, new site
http://www.phl-ua.com/

nice site but need work none of the links are doing much. Will there be a Russian/English version?

Will there be a Russian/English version?
You can count on Russian version, but English? Fat chance of that happening.

Google Translate, be our guide.

There's a possibility of an English language version down the road....Berkut and Donbas' official site's have [attempted] English versions

http://hc-berkut.com/en/
http://hcdonbass.com/home?lang=en

You can count on Russian version, but English? Fat chance of that happening.

either way, I can read Ukrainian and understand most of it.

300k minimum is a good starting point I think, the UK hockey league is something like 300-450k maximum salaries. .

That rule is there, but it isn't enforced at all.

Regular season is over, but I still can't find complete player statistics on league site...

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/192107.html

Ukrainian Hockey Channel held a presentation

the channel is broadcast around the clock Hockey began Jan. 22 on the day of the Match Star PHL, getting the rights to broadcast matches of the NHL, KHL, the UPHL
At a presentation in 5-star Intercontinental Hotel were invited stars of world hockey, functionaries, acting Ukrainian hockey players, coaches, athletes famous Ukrainian politicians: Boris Mikhailov, Sergei Makarov, Slava Fetisov and Vladislav Tretiak, Pavel Bure, Dmitri Khristich, Alexei Zhitnik, Vladimir Mishkin, Sergey Klimentyev, Konstantin Simchuk, Andrei Nikolishin, Vadim Shahraychuk, Kasyanchuk Constantine, Alexander Godynyuk, Basil Bobrovnikov, Igor Surkis, Sergei Rebrov, George Zantaraya, Anna Bessonova, Anatoly Brezvin, Dmitry Salamatin, Michael Brodsky, Boris Kolesnikov, and Markiyan Lubkivsky many others. e

Can someone translate this part, google tries but I'm just not understanding the verbage

Одной из изюминок сценария был выбор символической сборной канала. В нее вошли вратарь Владислав Третьяк, защитники Вячеслав Фетисов и Алексей Житник, нападающие Борис Михайлов, Павел Буре и Дмитрий Христич

было объявлено, что Житник отныне стал одним из членов команды "хоккеистов" в прямом смысле слова - он будет вести свою авторскую программу Своя Игра.

what makes here miss HC Donbass? no attributes, nothing, a bra and a cute face - probably a model.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422647_264032463671383_100001938958600_620329_1312 552517_n.jpg

Can someone translate this part, google tries but I'm just not understanding the verbage

The last paragraph says, that Zhitnik will host his own show on this channel.

dTM7EH7Iod0

http://bighockey.ua/

their site is pretty sweet! i was really surprised

http://bighockey.ua/

their site is pretty sweet! i was really surprised

Indeed, very sharp website. Actually, I think you can tell a lot about the seriousness of the organization/business in Eastern Europe just by looking at their webpage. Look at the webpages of Donbass or Berkut, and you can feel that they actually are willing to work in order to make their product attractive, so I can start to believe that their aims of playing in the KHL aren't that unrealistic after all.

Look at Sokil's webpage and tell me that they don't deserve to be where they are? The rulers of Sokil simply expect some sugar daddy to save them and are doing nothing to popularize themselves in media. Every single penny is probably is spent on wages, if you sign players like Nikolishin, you can atleast try and market the hell out him.

Agreed. And the trend continues. Only exception is Kompanion-Naftogaz.

Haidamaky was abysmal and their site barely exists

ANYWAY

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/192270.html

stats for the season!! thanks isport, always coming through



Played entire season:

A. Constantine Kasyanchuk (Falcon) - 25 47 = 72 points
Two. Victor Shariton (Companion) - 19 +32 = 51 points
Three. Eugene Krivomazov (Companion) - 10 33 = 43 points
4. Yegor Posevin (Sharks) - 18 19 = 37 points
Five. Nicholas Ford (Lions) - 16 19 = 35 points
6. Ilshat Iskhakov (Donbass) - 16 17 = 33 points
7. Michael Dolinin (Haydamaky) - 11 8 = 19 points
Eight. Vladimir Aleksyuk (Donbass) - 1 17 = 18 points
9. Alexander Fedorov (Lions) - 7 10 = 17 points
10. Roman Lavrik (White Bars) - 2 7 = 9 points
11. Artem Neverov (White Bars) - 0 4 = 4 points

In one match missed 13 players, two - 11. Among the greatest goalkeepers of games in the asset Konstantin Simchuk - 35.

Most teams played for:

Borisenko Pavel - 5 (Donbass - 1, 0, 0, Berkut - 9, 1 3; Lions - 1, 0, 0,, ​​Haydamaky-8, 3, 4, Companion - 20, 10, 17)
Alex Wojciechowski - 4 (Donbass, 2, 0 0, Sharks, 5, 1 1; Companion - 8, 1 2, White Bars - 19, 4, 7)
Roman Dolgov - 3 (Donbass, 19, 10, 11, Golden Eagle - 11, 4, 6, Sokol - 7, 0 1)
Maxim Martyshko - 3 (Golden Eagle - 16, 1 2; Haydamaky - 3, 0 2, Shark - 10, 1 1)
Andrew Krikunenko - 3 (Lions - 1, 0, 0, Haydamaky - 10, 3, 3, Sharks - 12, 1 2)
Mikhail Fedoseev - 3 (Donbass - 8, 0 +1 Berkut - 11, 0 0, Sokol - 3, 0, 1)
Dmitry Khanin - 1 (Donbass - 1, 0, 0, Sokol - 11, 0 +1 Sharks - 6, 0 +1)


Using some moneyball stats to determine...
We bring you the most useful players championship PHL:

A. Constantine Kasyanchuk (Falcon) 38 (+52 / -14) - 42 games
Two. Andrei Nikolishin (Falcon) 31 (+42 / -11) - 36 games
Three. Constantine Ryabenko (Falcon) 30 (+39 / -9) - 38 games
4. Alexander Yakovenko (Falcon) 29 (+37 / -8) - 41 Game
Five. Artem Gnidenko (Golden Eagle), 28 (44/16) - 41 Game
6. Vitali Litvinenko (Falcon) 26 (39/16) - 41 Game
7. Sergey Chernenko (Falcon) 26 (+37 / -11) - 36 games
Eight. Sergey Kharchenko (Falcon) 26 (+34 / -8) - 40 games
9. Roman Salnikov (Golden Eagle) 25 (+39 / -14) - 41 Game
10. Alexander Skorokhod (Falcon) 25 (+33 / -8) - 36 games
11. Yuri Lyaskovsky (Falcon) 24 (44/20) - 41 Game
12. Vladislav Bryzgalov (Golden Eagle) 24 (+41 / -17) - 40 games
13. Dennis Isaenko (Golden Eagle) 23 (+40 / -17) - 37 games
14. Ruslan Borysenko (Donbass) 23 (+32 / -9) - 29 games
15. Kirill Katrich (Falcon) 23 (29/6) - 30 games
16. Rustam Bahriddinov (Falcon / Donbass) 23 (24/1) - 24 games
17. Paul Butler (Golden Eagle), 21 (29 / -8), 31 games
18. Alexei Tezikov (Donbass), 21 (26/5), 28 games
19. Dmitry Nimenko (Donbass) 20 (+30 / -10), 41 games

On the other hand it is forecasted five of the worst players...

Michael Dolinin (Haydamaky) -43 (+17 / -60), 42 games
Denis Shevelev (Haydamaky) -41 (15 / -56), 37 games
Ilya Elovikov (Haydamaky / Lions) -41 (8/49), 40 games
Vladimir Sachko (Haydamaky) -38 (+12 / -50), 32 games
Vladimir Oksenenko (Haydamaky) -38 (+12 / -50), 37 games
Arthur Ponomarenko (White Bars) -37 (8 / -45), 38 games.

No goals, but have assists:

A. Artem Neverov (White Bars) - 42 games (0 +4)
Two. Roman Panteleimon (White Bars) - 41 games (0 3)
Three. Sergei Stolyarenko (Sharks) - 39 games (0 2)
4. Vladimir Oksenenko (Haydamaky) - 37 games (0 +1)
Five. Nikita Gherea (Haydamaky) - 35 games (0 +4)
6. Roman Sultanov (Haydamaky) - 34 games (0 3)
7. Andrew Janitor (Companion) - 28 games (0 0)
Eight. Victor Zakharov (Falcon) - 27 games (0 0)
9. Alexander Golomozy (Haydamaky) - 27 games (0 2)
10. Yuri Zenkov (Lions) - 26 games (0 +4)
11. Igor Dvornik (Companion) - 25 games (0 0)
12. Ruslan Sviridov (Companion / Falcon) - 25 games (0 +1)

Most PIMs:

A. Vladimir Oksenenko (Haydamaky) 91 min. (37 games)
Two. Andrew Tatarenko (Haydamaky / Companion) 83 min. (33 games)
Three. Eugene Krivomazov (Companion) 80 min. (42 games)
4. Pavel Medvedev (Sharks / Donbass) 74 min. (26 games)
Five. Maxim Tiger (Golden Eagle / Haydamaky / Sharks) 73 min. (29 games)
6. Oleg Good (Golden Eagle / Companion) 73 min. (32 games)
7. Dmitry Ignatenko (White Bars) 73 min. (33 games)
Eight. Stepan Ponomarev (Lions / Companion) 73 min. (41 game)
9. Dmitry Gnitko (Lions) 72 min. (40 games)
10. Roman Krivda (Sharks) 71 min. (27 games)
11. Dennis Isaenko (Golden Eagle) 71 min. (37 games)

No PIMs (10+ games played)

A. Konstantin Kalmikov (Sharks), 19 games
Two. Paul Logvinenko (White Bars) 18 games
Three. Andrew Mikhnov (Donbass), 17 games.

Among the 16 others unpunished for one or two had a fight eight performers, up to 5 games - five more. Six games without a penalty in the asset Nikita Smirnov (Falcon), eight - Andrew inexpensive (Golden Eagle)

In our next article we analyze the different bombardirskie (sniper, an assistant) to achieve.

Google translate doing its best to entertain us. :laugh:

Yeah, I had to edit that dementia down a bit

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/192748.html

goo.gl/woUm0

stats are up

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/192748.html

goo.gl/woUm0

stats are up

Not quite I hoped for. I would love to see full player stats, to see how youngsters how performed, who looks promising, etc.

ditto (I posted before reading it), but it's something...for now

wow, had no idea Ivan Khomutov was playing for Kompanion, and his numbers are great

wow, had no idea Ivan Khomutov was playing for Kompanion, and his numbers are great

he failed in Russia miserably, may be he will be able to reinvent himself over in Ukraine!

PHL desperately needs more middle-tier teams, the numbers of every half-decent player are inflated because there are two teams who let's in 5+ goals per game and facing such teams six times per seasons skews the numbers.

PHL desperately needs more middle-tier teams, the numbers of every half-decent player are inflated because there are two teams who let's in 5+ goals per game and facing such teams six times per seasons skews the numbers.

true

hopefully Brovary and Lviv improve more (Brovary is super young, right? they used to be half decent)

vinny needs to stop being a complete joke and things should shake out better

things really got heated in the championship game, love this rivalry!

e6M7wQRqpRI

@2:33 nice haymaker

then later on the coaches get on the ice and have to be held back lol

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/195885.html

PHL looking to expand to 20 teams next year and will now be an international league with 1 team from each of Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia

Of course, don't hold your breath. Money has a tendency to cause these things to fall apart over the summer.

Really cool to see Poland and Moldava get involved for the sake of growing the game.

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/195885.html

PHL looking to expand to 20 teams next year and will now be an international league with 1 team from each of Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia

Of course, don't hold your breath. Money has a tendency to cause these things to fall apart over the summer.

Really cool to see Poland and Moldava get involved for the sake of growing the game.
I heard that they will change the name of the competition as well, now it it will be called FDL - Fool's Day League. ;)

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/195885.html

PHL looking to expand to 20 teams next year and will now be an international league with 1 team from each of Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia

Of course, don't hold your breath. Money has a tendency to cause these things to fall apart over the summer.

Really cool to see Poland and Moldava get involved for the sake of growing the game.

Is there hockey in Moldova? I've never even heard of them having a national team.

Is there hockey in Moldova? I've never even heard of them having a national team.

Their U18 side (I dont know who was on the roster) won the U18 Romanian league and they were suppose to have a club in the Romanian league (roster was mostly Russians with one Moldovan player) but were kicked out. They dont even have a rink or league so you are right, they dont have a National team.

Edit: The U18 club had 5 players from Moldova and the rest were Russians with parental ties to Moldova.

I heard that they will change the name of the competition as well, now it it will be called FDL - Fool's Day League. ;)

I'm looking forward to the FDL!

First hint: 20 teams. Second hint: Moldova

This is pretty awesome- I'm visiting Ukraine right now and I've been trying to get a feel for how popular hockey is around here. (mostly because I want to find a place to watch the playoffs...I'll be in Eastern Europe for all of it!). I met someone who plays goalie at a bar last night, and now I'm reading this. It's encouraging to see that hockey is alive in Ukraine!

I thought it was a good joke. :cry:

Read yesterday, that luxury tax funds last year were necessary to keep the team from Brovary going the distance last year so there's a good chance that there will be less teams in PHL next year.

Read yesterday, that luxury tax funds last year were necessary to keep the team from Brovary going the distance last year so there's a good chance that there will be less teams in PHL next year.

Brovary was the second worst team in the league this year (after Vinnytsia), I think it might be addition by subtraction for the league. With that said it would be good to have another legitimate team (Sokil, Donbass and Berkut are the only ones). It would be nice to see Kharkiv invest in their hockey club, they started to develop a fairly decent hockey program a while back.

Brovary was the second worst team in the league this year (after Vinnytsia), I think it might be addition by subtraction for the league. With that said it would be good to have another legitimate team (Sokil, Donbass and Berkut are the only ones). It would be nice to see Kharkiv invest in their hockey club, they started to develop a fairly decent hockey program a while back.

If we follow this logic of subtraction we can close the shop already. :laugh: I've heard that first next year's addition might be Ukrainian U20 side, though this team might be created on the basis of Brovary or Vinnitsa so it doesn't particularly mean that there will be more teams next year. Though I'm sure there will be more teams next year that there were this season, because all in all first PHL season was a success.

Brovary was the second worst team in the league this year (after Vinnytsia), I think it might be addition by subtraction for the league. With that said it would be good to have another legitimate team (Sokil, Donbass and Berkut are the only ones). It would be nice to see Kharkiv invest in their hockey club, they started to develop a fairly decent hockey program a while back.

One of our friend's son just moved to Russia because Kharkiv did not offer him a good enough training environment.


He's only 14 so he's obviously nowhere close to being as good as Zherdev or Babchuk etc, but one has to wonder whether if he ever got that good, which national team he would represent.

One of our friend's son just moved to Russia because Kharkiv did not offer him a good enough training environment.


He's only 14 so he's obviously nowhere close to being as good as Zherdev or Babchuk etc, but one has to wonder whether if he ever got that good, which national team he would represent.

Where did this kid moved to? Belgorod, Yaroslavl or Voskresenk? My bets are in this order. :) That aside, if by 14 kid doesn't feel any attachment to his birth country, something is wrong with his upbringing.

Where did this kid moved to? Belgorod, Yaroslavl or Voskresenk? My bets are in this order. :) That aside, if by 14 kid doesn't feel any attachment to his birth country, something is wrong with his upbringing.

He moved to Moscow

http://hc.lviv.ua/newsukr/2764.htm

just noticed, but in preparations for Lviv's 2022 olympic bid, they want to build as part of the olympic park a 17,000 seat hockey arena (and a 7,000 seat arena)

really hope this goes through

He moved to Moscow

it's only normal, if he's got talent - he's not going anywhere from Ukraine, not the way hockey is there today.

http://hc.lviv.ua/newsukr/2764.htm

just noticed, but in preparations for Lviv's 2022 olympic bid, they want to build as part of the olympic park a 17,000 seat hockey arena (and a 7,000 seat arena)

really hope this goes through

I can't imagine a day when Lviv will actually need such an monstrous arena for hockey game.

I can't imagine a day when Lviv will actually need such an monstrous arena for hockey game.

I can, when Ukraine becomes better than Russia in hockey for the game:laugh::laugh::laugh:

I can't imagine a day when Lviv will actually need such an monstrous arena for hockey game.

In Soccer Ukraine has a trend of building new stadiums and seeing attendance sky rocket. Whether that happens in Hockey I don't know.

In Soccer Ukraine has a trend of building new stadiums and seeing attendance sky rocket. Whether that happens in Hockey I don't know.

yeah true that...Russian league is such a garbage (soccer) everything is bought and sold behind the curtains.

I can't imagine a day when Lviv will actually need such an monstrous arena for hockey game.

well i guess (obviously) it would be dual purpose for figure skating and other olympic events - and ideally double for basketball in the summer?

they can't bid without it, and having it would indeed be great (for the sake of even having an arena in the city, since the Lions have to play out in the sticks at the moment)

yeah true that...Russian league is such a garbage (soccer) everything is bought and sold behind the curtains.

At least soccer in Russia is an attractive product, right? :sarcasm:

At least soccer in Russia is an attractive product, right? :sarcasm:

Unfortunately most of their stadiums are crap. Only Lokomotiv has a decent new stadium on the metro line in Moscow. Khmiki is relatively nice, but it's such a pain in the ass to get to.

Unfortunately most of their stadiums are crap. Only Lokomotiv has a decent new stadium on the metro line in Moscow. Khmiki is relatively nice, but it's such a pain in the ass to get to.

My previous post had a completely different meaning. ;) In NA hockey is an industry which sellls everything around the game, Russia has gone one step further :laugh:

Actually AFAIK from the tales of my father, such capitalism in Russian soccer existed already in Soviet times.

oh yes, dogovornie igry was all over USSR...for political reasons very often.

Match fixing happens all over Europe. Not just a Russian thing.

Match fixing happens all over Europe. Not just a Russian thing.

No doubt, Italy (probably the 3rd most popular league in the world, at the very least 4th) is about to go through it's second major scandal.

Match fixing happens all over Europe. Not just a Russian thing.

is that a legitimate excuse in your mind to continue doing it?

is that a legitimate excuse in your mind to continue doing it?

I just said it happens, not that I condone it.

http://bighockey.ua/news/postav-zapitannya-prezidentu-berkuta.html

Berkut still has the KHL in its long term goal, it seems.

http://bighockey.ua/news/postav-zapitannya-prezidentu-berkuta.html

Berkut still has the KHL in its long term goal, it seems.

My Ukrainian basically consists of budlaska could you please translate that for me?

My Ukrainian consists of kobassa, but google trans says

May 11 at channel "Hockey" bighockey.ua - straight line with David Zhvania, President HC "Berkut" - bronze medalist last championship Sds Doc Img, one of the most ambitious Ukrainian club hockey.
Handling of the results of last season, the club plans for a second season of the PHL and possible personnel changes in the team, the principles of selective breeding and ambitions "Berkut" to participate in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Viewers channel and visitors and guests of our pages in social networks can leave your question in the comments to this article.

would a hockey project with a bunch of foreigners garner any interest from the public?

Well, let's rephrase that

Would a team with a bunch of Russians in Kiev garner interest from the public?

would a hockey project with a bunch of foreigners garner any interest from the public?

Shakhtar and Metalist would say foreigners aren't a problem.

Shakhtar and Metalist would say foreigners aren't a problem.

I said HOCKEY project. Football is popular in Ukraine, hockey is not so much, there's the difference.

Well, let's rephrase that

Would a team with a bunch of Russians in Kiev garner interest from the public?

Russians? doubt in Kiev they will be treated as foreigners....Most dev. not in Donetsk.

I said HOCKEY project. Football is popular in Ukraine, hockey is not so much, there's the difference.

Questionable.


There hasn't been decent quality hockey in Ukraine since 1991. Foreigners don't matter as much as quality.

Russians? doubt in Kiev they will be treated as foreigners....Most dev. not in Donetsk.

Exactly my point.

Unless you were referring to how fans would treat Finns and Slovaks and Swedes n' such?

Exactly my point.

Unless you were referring to how fans would treat Finns and Slovaks and Swedes n' such?

not how the fans will treat them, I was referring how much interest will a not very popular sport like hockey garner in Kiev, while there are almost no domestic products. I think Donbas - MHL - PHL should start working first and produce some players.

I think the fact that the city has a much higher population, more money, and virtually all of Ukraine's hockey fans (and players) - a pro team there could survive there in spite of the lack of quality domestic talent. Import Russians and nobody will complain.

Would it be any different than Astana?

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/200262.html

Building a new arena in Sevastopol - hopefully they have a PHL team one day soon

+1

http://hc-generals.com/?page_id=115

+1

http://hc-generals.com/?page_id=115

is this a new Kiev based team

is this a new Kiev based team

Kinda, it will be located in Brovary, a suburb of Kiev. Though their hockey school will be located at yet unknown city (not Kiev).

There's a better article, which also talks about Generals (despise this name already) and reincarnation of anther Soviet brand Kharkov Dynamo.

Link - http://www.sokol.kiev.ua/page-id-4957.html

Kinda, it will be located in Brovary, a suburb of Kiev. Though their hockey school will be located at yet unknown city (not Kiev).

There's a better article, which also talks about Generals (despise this name already) and reincarnation of anther Soviet brand Kharkov Dynamo.

Link - http://www.sokol.kiev.ua/page-id-4957.html

it just looks like Harkov Sharks will become Dinamo for the most part and pretty much cease to exist.

They're just changing the name of the team. Which is fine, the world needs more teams named Dynamo.

anyone know, Will gaymenki vinnitsa continue in the phl? they seem to be in the wrong league right now.

anyone know, Will gaymenki vinnitsa continue in the phl? they seem to be in the wrong league right now.

We probably won't find out until mid-June, when is the final date to apply for a place in PHL.

http://hcdynamo.kharkov.ua/en

found the dynamo site, i think

anyone know, Will gaymenki vinnitsa continue in the phl? they seem to be in the wrong league right now.

http://bighockey.ua/news/gaydamaki-pereyidut-na-novu-lodovu-arenu.html

they are moving to a new arena to fix the problems they had last year (bad ice, 15% of their home games got commuted to Kyiv), so it *seems* they aren't leaving

http://www.mournhockey.com.ua/page-id-1297.html

in Zaporizhia they are getting $6.2 million USD to fund a new arena; kolesnikov is involved somehow

very impressive!

The PHL may receive a team from Sevastopol - Vice President Alexander Galkin Sevastopol Hockey Federation announced that the city will create a professional hockey team
http://hcdonbass.com/home/news/news/18559?lang=ru

- With the start of construction of an arena, our federation was given the task of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine - a preparation for the creation of the urban professional team that would eventually participated in the PHL, - the vice-president of Federation of hockey of Sevastopol. - To date, in Sevastopol, there are four amateur teams. They are involved in various amateur tournaments. For example, the "Legion" is constantly involved in the amateur tournament "Cup of the Black Sea."

http://hcdonbass.com/home/news/news/18559?lang=ru

Where will they get the players? There simply isn't enough professional hockey players to sustain the current teams. :(

Mhl grads without a shot for khl/vhl

Mhl grads without a shot for khl/vhl

There's a foreigner limit, a loose one, but there is so they still need to find at least half of the roster in Ukraine. There are a lot of retirees between youth internationals in 00's, they could look to return those lost souls to hockey, I guess.

I'm not against this rapid expansion, but it would water the competition down even further. :/

I agree. Can't have a bunch of Haydamakys running around, amiright?

I'm happy they are building arenas and (I would hope) expand the Ukr MHL just as rapidly.

half the league is from Kyiv and they are all sharing the same shopping mall in Brovary to play games. Fix this **** first before spreading the talent out to the point where the product will be so lackluster it drives away potential fans.

Berkut is assembling a ridiculous roster. They just signed Slovak extraleague's best scoring D from last season. Who are they going to play against, now that Donetsk has gone full youth mode and Sokil has done nothing but gotten another year older? Bely Bars and Vinnytsa?

win a ukrainian championship, compete in the IIHF champions league, and then ride that wave into applying for KHL membership?

berkut is assembling a ridiculous roster. They just signed slovak extraleague's best scoring d from last season. Who are they going to play against, now that donetsk has gone full youth mode and sokil has done nothing but gotten another year older? Bely bars and vinnytsa?

vhl?

Ya, they need a new arena bad if they have big plans with their current holding 500.

I thought they're sharing the shopping mall 1500 seater in Brovary with Sokil and Bilyi Bars?

Berkut will play in the Palace of Sport in Kiev with capacity around 7000

There's a plan to build a multifunctional arena in Kiev for Eurobasket-2015 with capacity at least 15K. So in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons Berkut will play in KHL at the Palace and then at the new arena.

There's a plan to build a multifunctional arena in Kiev for Eurobasket-2015 with capacity at least 15K. So in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons Berkut will play in KHL at the Palace and then at the new arena.

that would be great, may be there will be some Ukr players coming up then, so the roster is not fully international.

Berkut signs Serhiy Klymentiev, and 2 national team players (Chernyshenko and Yanishevsky)


Berkut really should just buy Sokil or merge with them like MVD and Dynamo did just to get the naming rights

http://bighockey.ua/news/u-phl-znovu-gratimut-visim-komand.html

8 teams next year...what does it say in the last part about bilyi bars and haydamaky?

also confirms dynamo will replace the sharks, who will convert to a junior team?

damn google translator

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/205363.html

As of the date the application for participation in the championship PHL-2012/13 filed six clubs. This is - Donbass, Falcon, Golden Eagle, Companion, Naftogaz, Lions , and the representative of Kharkov , who next season will be performing under the revived brand Dynamo. Tomorrow it is expected that its application will be served in the PHL White Bars and Vinnitsa Haydamaky

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/205363.html

it says they are optimistic about the two problematic teams

This is last years Dynamo Kharkov jerseys, but I really like how they combined the Dynamo classic look with some Vyshyvka elements on the sleeves. Hope the 2012 update does more of the same.

http://cs10992.userapi.com/u16694887/147016142/x_b423ab20.jpg

Berkut signed Andrei Mikhnov. This roster is looking like a VHL or even a lower-end KHL calibur team. Will this team apply for KHL membership in the next couple seasons?

Berkut signed Andrei Mikhnov. This roster is looking like a VHL or even a lower-end KHL calibur team. Will this team apply for KHL membership in the next couple seasons?

My sentiments exactly. I'd indeed say it's VHL roster and maybe even 08/09 season's KHL roster.

http://hc-berkut.com/ru/articles/item/2012-06-13-sostav-berkuta-sezona-2012-2013

entire berkut roster posted on their site, for reference sake

Berkut really should just buy Sokil or merge with them like MVD and Dynamo did just to get the naming rights

My guess is they don't care about the Sokil name, Berkut seems to be building it's own 'brand'.

When is the deadline to apply to the VHL? I think it must be Berkut's goal for this season?

why would it be? they've stated pretty clearly they are gearing up for the next PHL season

why would it be? they've stated pretty clearly they are gearing up for the next PHL season

I don't see the point in assembling such a roster for the PHL unless they plan to play at a higher level now or next season.

I don't see the point in assembling such a roster for the PHL unless they plan to play at a higher level now or next season.

I guess. This does seem a bit premature given that they said they want to build a new arena and join the KHL. They're building the team before the arena...

Anything that makes the PHL a legit league is good though.

I guess. This does seem a bit premature given that they said they want to build a new arena and join the KHL. They're building the team before the arena...

Anything that makes the PHL a legit league is good though.

Well, Yoda once said, that one team does not a league make. ;) Currently they are shaping up a team to steamroll the league. Unless Sokil finds a pot of gold, the outcome of league has been decided. I fear that Sokil might go bust altogether, not a whisper from their camp since the season ended...

My guess is they don't care about the Sokil name, Berkut seems to be building it's own 'brand'.

When is the deadline to apply to the VHL? I think it must be Berkut's goal for this season?

This is what I'm thinking. Why get the best defenseman from the Slovak league and so many former KHL players like Klimentyev and Mikhnov if they aren't looking to play at a higher level? Why would players who could easily play at the VHL level want to play in the Ukrainian league? My guess is they're going to apply for VHL membership for this season and KHL the next if they get into the VHL.

Well, Yoda once said, that one team does not a league make. ;) Currently they are shaping up a team to steamroll the league. Unless Sokil finds a pot of gold, the outcome of league has been decided. I fear that Sokil might go bust altogether, not a whisper from their camp since the season ended...

they did the same thing last summer. guess they stop paying the webmaster after the season is over.

This is what I'm thinking. Why get the best defenseman from the Slovak league and so many former KHL players like Klimentyev and Mikhnov if they aren't looking to play at a higher level? Why would players who could easily play at the VHL level want to play in the Ukrainian league? My guess is they're going to apply for VHL membership for this season and KHL the next if they get into the VHL.

Klymentiev and Mikhnov were both in the PHL last year

they did the same thing last summer. guess they stop paying the webmaster after the season is over.



Klymentiev and Mikhnov were both in the PHL last year

Both are FORMER KHL players though. Not last season, but 2-3 seasons ago both were playing in the KHL.

You said why sign former KHL guys if they are going to stay in the PHL - but the reality of that move is they signed current PHL guys because they are still in the PHL

let's see what transpires, may be they are gearing up for the next year?

let's see what transpires, may be they are gearing up for the next year?

I'm 99% sure that none of the players have a deal that lasts longer than next season.

I'm 99% sure that none of the players have a deal that lasts longer than next season.

well, had they applied to VHL there would have been rumors at the least.

well, had they applied to VHL there would have been rumors at the least.

Well Yunost Minsk applied just few days ago, it came out of blue as well, so lets wait.

But the PHL confirmed them recently, and they themselves announced that next year is the PHL....would they just jump ship out of nowhere like that?

But the PHL confirmed them recently, and they themselves announced that next year is the PHL....would they just jump ship out of nowhere like that?

mb 2 teams, like donbas?

couple of teams: Berkut and Kompanyon had been fortifiying heavily.

komp got a new logo, too

i just wish the money was going to another non-kiev team, dont care where

Berkut has Gongalsky on try-out

Brovary have a sponsor and will play this year, Vinnytsia still in question.

http://www.mournhockey.com.ua/page-id-1351.html

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/214301.html

Donbass-2, Lviv, and Berkut want to turn the league into a major-junior league?

i can understand D2 wanting this (they're doing it anyway), and I guess Lviv has nothing to lose, but why would Berkut say this now after stacking up on vets?

I don't like the idea, maybe have a minimum number of kids on every team to help development but turning the entire league into a U-25? That would just force every Ukrainian player 26+ (of which are most) to play in Belarus or the VHL or wherever....I don't get it. Not only that, but it would screw up the idea of the Ukrainian Championship itself.

Ukraine doesn't have enough decent U25 players to ice an 8 team league either

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/214301.html

Donbass-2, Lviv, and Berkut want to turn the league into a major-junior league?

i can understand D2 wanting this (they're doing it anyway), and I guess Lviv has nothing to lose, but why would Berkut say this now after stacking up on vets?

I don't like the idea, maybe have a minimum number of kids on every team to help development but turning the entire league into a U-25? That would just force every Ukrainian player 26+ (of which are most) to play in Belarus or the VHL or wherever....I don't get it. Not only that, but it would screw up the idea of the Ukrainian Championship itself.

Ukraine doesn't have enough decent U25 players to ice an 8 team league either

belorus' has something similar going on (not that strict though), but imho this idea is stupid, unless each and every one of these 8 teams moves onto VHL/OBL and uses PHL as the farm-league

belorus' has something similar going on (not that strict though), but imho this idea is stupid, unless each and every one of these 8 teams moves onto VHL/OBL and uses PHL as the farm-league

yeah

honestly, the idea of them creating a junior-only league when they first proposed it was sketchy enough as it was....there just isn't enough talent to go around to justify it at the moment

to then take the so-far-failed idea of a junior league, and then scrap the PHL altogether to make it....just seems ridiculously stupid. Not to mention, most of the players would end up being imports (D2's roster is over 50% imports, mostly Russian)

my only thinking is

donbass-2 = they're already doing it
berkut = they are gearing up to promote their team / khl / vhl, and will be doing it next year
lviv = it would be cheaper

I hate this lack of direction generally, but really where would those overage players (about 85 percent of serious Ukrainian hockey players) go in such case? Who would take them? It's Romanian league again for them.

At this time such league looks like a stupid idea, unless you force upon teams no foreigner rule. Then I could behind it somehow.

stupid selfish offer, imho

stupid selfish offer, imho

Agreed.

Of course this works for Donbass-2 as they're being used as the development team for Donbass Donetsk and Berkut is looking to do the same. This would give their prospects a place to play before they're ready for the KHL. However, turning it into a junior league (say 23 and under) wouldn't do much for the owners of the other teams or Ukrainian hockey in general.

If they want a junior league, they should have a couple Ukrainian teams join the MHL, a couple join MHL-B and then create junior A and B leagues for local competition between clubs. This would create a good stepping stone development system for the leagues and would help them to develop KHL-calibur players from the ground up and would create a competitive development system that would retain Ukrainian-born players.

- "PHL-B"- would be a Junior B hockey league for graduates of local AA/AAA* teams.
- "PHL-A"- would be a Junior A league for high-end graduates of local AAA* teams.
- MHL-B- have a Ukrainian team or two join this league for elite younger Ukrainians or guys who can't quite cut it in the MHL, but want to pursue major junior/professional hockey.
- MHL- have a team for each of the Ukrainian KHL teams for Ukraine's most elite prospects to play for.

The Ukrainian KHL teams could then use the PHL as a feeder/farm system for the top graduates of the MHL/MHL-B programs who are either too old for those leagues or are ready for the next level to prepare them for the KHL. This would help to develop talent locally and provide an increasingly competitive league for Ukrainian development and for the national team to fill out their depth from.

So the development system would basically be (in this order): PHL-B, PHL-A, MHL-B, MHL, PHL, KHL with players skipping steps if they are capable.

* Not sure how Ukraine's youth/minor hockey system is ranked, but in North America AA is the second highest level of minor hockey and AAA is the highest.

If they want a junior league, they should have a couple Ukrainian teams join the MHL, a couple join MHL-B and then create junior A and B leagues for local competition between clubs. This would create a good stepping stone development system for the leagues and would help them to develop KHL-calibur players from the ground up and would create a competitive development system that would retain Ukrainian-born players.


This.


I mean, like I said, look at HC Donbass-2's roster. It's half Russian. If they want to do junior teams, why not play in the MHL? It's better for their development anyway.


- "PHL-B"- would be a Junior B hockey league for graduates of local AA/AAA* teams.
- "PHL-A"- would be a Junior A league for high-end graduates of local AAA* teams.
- MHL-B- have a Ukrainian team or two join this league for elite younger Ukrainians or guys who can't quite cut it in the MHL, but want to pursue major junior/professional hockey.
- MHL- have a team for each of the Ukrainian KHL teams for Ukraine's most elite prospects to play for.


No need to junior a/b the PHL junior circuit, not enough players left over from the ones in the MHL farm in this instance. If they're not good enough to PHL-Jr, and not going pro, they can play night hockey league / WUAHL / beer league, their career's over anyway.

for MHL, have 2 (donbass, berkut) and call it a day. Who would ice a team in MHL-B?

for MHL, have 2 (donbass, berkut) and call it a day. Who would ice a team in MHL-B?

Kharkov

This.


I mean, like I said, look at HC Donbass-2's roster. It's half Russian. If they want to do junior teams, why not play in the MHL? It's better for their development anyway.



No need to junior a/b the PHL junior circuit, not enough players left over from the ones in the MHL farm in this instance. If they're not good enough to PHL-Jr, and not going pro, they can play night hockey league / WUAHL / beer league, their career's over anyway.

for MHL, have 2 (donbass, berkut) and call it a day. Who would ice a team in MHL-B?

The reason I suggested a lower-tier circuit of Junior A and Junior B teams is to create depth and competitive hockey for players who either aren't quite good enough for MHL/MHL-B or any of the above leagues. This would allow for players who are 18, 19, 20 years old to keep playing competitive hockey and would allow the premier younger 15, 16, 17 year olds to play at a higher level and prepare them for higher levels of junior/pro hockey. Having a good depth system would help Ukraine to retain their premier players from a young age as it would give them a good place to develop at home, rather than having to move to Russia to play.

As CSKA suggested, put Donbass and Berkut into the MHL, Kharkov into the MHL-B, retain all the current teams in the PHL and use the lower Junior leagues as direct feeders to the PHL teams in their cities.

It's pretty pathetic that Ukraine doesn't have a single MHL or MHL-B team, when Hungary, Romania and Lithuania all have teams. This is something that will need to change to help the development of Ukrainian hockey. The MHL would be a much better place for youngsters like Zakharov, Martyshko and all the 92's, 93's and 94's playing in the PHL to develop and play against talent their own age. Playing in the PHL could really hurt their development offensively and in the long run.

It's pretty pathetic that Ukraine doesn't have a single MHL or MHL-B team, when Hungary, Romania and Lithuania all have teams. This is something that will need to change to help the development of Ukrainian hockey. The MHL would be a much better place for youngsters like Zakharov, Martyshko and all the 92's, 93's and 94's playing in the PHL to develop and play against talent their own age. Playing in the PHL could really hurt their development offensively and in the long run.

It is not important, maybe just a typo. Not Romania but Moldova.

IMO, Donbass will join MHL or MHL B in season 13/14

It is not important, maybe just a typo. Not Romania but Moldova.

IMO, Donbass will join MHL or MHL B in season 13/14

Wow, I had heard Romania, which made some sense. I didn't even know Moldova had a hockey program. I guess that makes it even worse that Ukraine doesn't have a team :laugh:

The reason I suggested a lower-tier circuit of Junior A and Junior B teams is to create depth and competitive hockey for players who either aren't quite good enough for MHL/MHL-B or any of the above leagues. This would allow for players who are 18, 19, 20 years old to keep playing competitive hockey and would allow the premier younger 15, 16, 17 year olds to play at a higher level and prepare them for higher levels of junior/pro hockey. Having a good depth system would help Ukraine to retain their premier players from a young age as it would give them a good place to develop at home, rather than having to move to Russia to play.


That's all well, but the depth needs to exist in the first place to justify it. Give it a few years, let hockey grow, when the players are there split the tiers accordingly.

Ukraine needs a lot more clubs/schools with the ambition of Donbass towards youth hockey.

That's all well, but the depth needs to exist in the first place to justify it. Give it a few years, let hockey grow, when the players are there split the tiers accordingly.

Ukraine needs a lot more clubs/schools with the ambition of Donbass towards youth hockey.

Agreed.

This wouldn't be able to be implemented for another 10 years or so. Enrollment needs to rise and as you said more teams need to create better youth programs. However, this could eventually be the reality and a good development system in line with a country like Germany's.

It is not important, maybe just a typo. Not Romania but Moldova.

IMO, Donbass will join MHL or MHL B in season 13/14

Moldova has an MHL club? I knew there was a youth team playing in the Romanian youth leagues, did it move to the MHL?

Haydamaky wont be playing in the upcoming season due to finances

White Leopards will play this year, came up with the finances last minute, and will move to Bila Tserkva next year - where a new arena is being built by Hockey Ukraine

League plans on coming up with a new logo before the start of the season

36 game regular season among the 7 teams, top 6 make the playoffs

In the playoffs six teams will be divided into two groups of three teams (group 1: the first, fourth and fifth team in the championship, and in group 2 - the second, third and sixth), playing in the group stage of the playoffs yet two games against rivals in the group. In the semi-finals come two best clubs from each group. Semi-finals and finals of the playoffs will be to win one of four teams. Innovation will be a series for third place, which will go to the two victories.

K, it's official, White Leopards moving to White Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bila_Tserkva

new team owner is from there and wants to build/grow hockey there (awesome!)

they will start the season in the ATEK Terminal, and move there on October 28 when the arena is ready

K, it's official, White Leopards moving to White Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bila_Tserkva

new team owner is from there and wants to build/grow hockey there (awesome!)

they will start the season in the ATEK Terminal, and move there on October 28 when the arena is ready

I have a buddy from Byla Cerkva

K, it's official, White Leopards moving to White Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bila_Tserkva

new team owner is from there and wants to build/grow hockey there (awesome!)

they will start the season in the ATEK Terminal, and move there on October 28 when the arena is ready

Any idea who the owner is?

http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/215671.html

- They want the arena done so a PHL team can be in Sevastopol next year; they have a preliminary agreement
- Also trying to expand to Luhansk and Kryvyi Rih (new arenas are being made)
- Talks with Dnipropetrovsk to get a team
- Notable mention, Kherson and Kalush (lolwtf)
- Wanted to create the youth league for this year, but not all teams are ready to create junior teams (at the moment, Kalush, Lviv, Kharkiv are ready; Sokil Kyiv's jr program wouldn't be hard to put a team together; Berkut/Kompanion could but the lack of ice in Kiev is the problem)
- There's been some talks to create a Slavic Championship / League between UKR, BLR, and other national leagues in the region
- They'll be working with Pointstreak to publish game stats!!

It's only a matter of time before Berkut Kiev tries to join the KHL. I was just looking at their roster and they're going to destroy most of the competition in the PHL this year. Their team is VHL, if not lower-end KHL calibur right now. They've signed away almost all of the best Ukrainian players outside of the KHL/Donbass as well, with guys like Klimentyev, Andrei Mikhnov, Ramazanov, Pobedonostsev, Gongalsky and some younger talent for them to develop.

I'll be shocked if they're not in the KHL by 13/14.

It's only a matter of time before Berkut Kiev tries to join the KHL. I was just looking at their roster and they're going to destroy most of the competition in the PHL this year. Their team is VHL, if not lower-end KHL calibur right now. They've signed away almost all of the best Ukrainian players outside of the KHL/Donbass as well, with guys like Klimentyev, Andrei Mikhnov, Ramazanov, Pobedonostsev, Gongalsky and some younger talent for them to develop.

I'll be shocked if they're not in the KHL by 13/14.

Yeah but before they can join KHL,they need to get their infrastracture straight (Arenas,tv broadcasrs,etc)

Unless they can get past the red tape and start a massive renewal project on the old stadium in Kyiv, this may be an issue

also, we'll have to see how the owner fares in the upcoming elections.

Yeah, Berkut has it all but the the arena. Willing people - check, marketing - check, actual market (Kiev) - check.

Does anyone have a link to who won the awards in the league last season? mvp, best d, etc.?

new official PHL logo

http://phl-ua.com.ua/images/SDK.jpg

they're going backwards...


though it doesnt look terribly bad in solid white
http://hcdonbass.com/upload/iblock/f38/DS_site.jpg

Meanwhile in PHL Sokol wins for four consecutive games and goes to the second place in the league. In the first place Berkut, unconditional favorite number one this season.

Berkut lost the first match in the PHL. Earlier, the match with a Companion was stopped to heavy fog over the ice. Video match here http://isport.ua/hockey/ukraine/news/218745.html

Donbass won Riga 4:2. Dadonow played great.