In 2008, Barys applied to join the newly formed Kontinental Hockey League.
The team won its first game in the KHL on September 3, 2008 abroad, defeating Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 2-1 in the shootouts.
[1] They registered their first home game eleven days later by beating defending Russian champions Salavat Yulaev Ufa 3-2, this time again in shootout.
[2] The team finished its first season with a 15th place overall in the league (5th out of 6 in the highly competitive Chernyshev division).
[3] Konstantin Glazachev finished 9th overall in the league in scoring with 52 points (28 goals and 24 assists).