It is named in honor of Arkady Chernyshev; Soviet Master of Sports, IIHF Hall of Fame inductee and former Dynamo Moscow head coach.
The Chernyshev Division is made up of the following teams: In the first KHL season, the division alignment was determined by team strength and the Chernyshev Division consisted of: Ak Bars Kazan, Barys Astana, Dynamo Moscow, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Vityaz Chekhov.
Only Barys Astana remained and was joined by Avangard Omsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sibir Novosibirsk, Amur Khabarovsk and Metallurg Novokuznetsk.
Newcomer Admiral Vladivostok, who joined the KHL in the 2013–14 season, was added to the Chernyshev Division.
Newcomer Kunlun Red Star Beijing from China, who joined the KHL as an expansion team in the 2016–17 season, was added to the Chernyshev Division.