Russian Superleague

The KHL absorbed all 20 teams from the previous RSL season, for a total of 24 for its inaugural campaign.

The Soviet era was dominated by the Red Army-affiliated CSKA Moscow, who won 32 of the 46 championships.

In 1999, membership was open and the league went international, and was renamed the Russian Superleague.

[citation needed] Journalist Vsevolod Kukushkin acted as a press secretary for the league.

The games were played in accordance with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules.