But it was also such a great opportunity for me to get back to playing hockey the way you dream of when you're a kid. The KHL just wrapped up its 13th season. Though it is widely considered the second-best hockey league in the world -- trailing the NHL -- the Russia-based league still carries a certain mystique, and stigmas, especially to North Americans.
The KHL continues to build, even if it still isn't perfect. The league staged a full season in the pandemic -- from Sept. The KHL is welcoming a youth movement, and used the pandemic to help usher it in. Driving to Moscow, you see his face on the billboard for a bank, and everywhere we went people were going crazy for him. The KHL has often been viewed as the NHL's oil-rich cousin, with financing often derived from corporations, including many that are state-owned.
The lines between sport, government and business are fuzzy, and can lead to situations like in , when the ruble collapsed. That destabilized the league, and many players reported missed or late paychecks.
However, several agents interviewed for this story said they cannot cite recent examples of players not being paid. There's definitely still some of that. But from my experience, players have generally had positive experiences over the last few years, and paychecks have not been an issue.
The coaches reached an out-of-court settlement. And of course, there are the horror stories that have become urban legends in North America: wild and dangerous travel, mystery substances in IVs, a team engaging in a strange ritual on ice before practice. I don't think it's a true reflection of what the league is or what the teams offer to players.
Woodcroft continued: "Are there unique situations in the KHL? Do you have to have an open mind when you come here? Maybe more patience as a person, a player, a coach? Of course, you have to. Because it's a different culture, they do things differently.
We have to respect that, we are in their country. They do things a bit differently than us. Of course, sometimes you get frustrated, and you say, 'This is not the way I think it should be done.
The KHL had been using three different rink sizes -- international, North American and Finnish -- though it is in the process of streamlining to just two options, which will eliminate headaches for teams constantly trying to adjust. As for the product on the ice? Knight wasn't sure what to expect when he signed his deal in There are some quirks. Games can take longer because officials tend to be very meticulous about face-off violations -- often making the centers redo several times -- and are quick to the whistle on too-many-men penalties.
Conversely, officials don't call a ton of hooking, which can drive some coaches and players wild. For Woodcroft, the most unique aspect of the KHL is its global perspective.
In , players represented 18 countries, including 48 Canadians and 17 Americans, despite Russian KHL teams limited to dressing only five imports per game. They watch the NHL and that style of play. For that show, you will have to wait for the Winter Olympics where the superstars will play hosts in Russia.
Enjoy our content? Join our newsletter to get the latest in sports news delivered straight to your inbox! Your sports. Join Newsletter. Jurzinov had been the coach of Ufa for the past two seasons, and has spent the past five seasons coaching in the KHL. Not a subscriber? Sign up today to get the best features and analysis from the NHL and beyond.
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