KHL eye up UK locations for possible expansion

The KHL are looking at two possible location with a view to expanding into the UK, according to reports.

The Russian-based league have held talks with potential owners as they look to the next phase of their expansion, revealed in a story by the Daily Mail on Monday.

And KHL president Dimitry Chernysenko believes bringing a team to these shores would be an exciting one, but wouldn’t be drawn on when it could happen if it were to go ahead.

“It’s an attractive location and a KHL club there would be an exciting option,” he said. “I wouldn’t like to put a time frame on it because we have to make absolutely sure we go with the right people.

“We would want them to be in this for the long-haul and I have to make sure they can make that commitment. But I am optimistic it can happen.”

Will there be some KHL action in the UK? (PHOTO: KHL)

Talk of a KHL side coming to the UK has been rumoured for some time, but it’s the first time an official has confirmed it is an option as they weigh up other options.

The KHL, which attracts six millions fans a season, have teams in Finland, Latvia and China and are also looking at possible franchises in either Paris or Seoul as well.

It would be interesting to see how it would be received in the UK, with the Elite League enjoying one of its most competitive seasons and the national team in the top division in the World Championships.

Five of the ten teams in the EIHL have players with previous KHL experience, including Glasgow Clan’s Chad Rau and Nikolai Lemtyugov of Sheffield Steelers.

According to the article, sites in Reading or London’s Wembley Arena are being considered as ice hockey in the UK could be set for a Russian invasion.