During 1997–2000 there was a relegation round where the strongest teams of the league played with the weakest RSL clubs for their place in the top division.

In 2001–01 this system was replaced with a final round between the league teams only and starting with 2003–04 the Supreme League ultimately switched to playoffs.

In 2008, when the Superleague became defunct, the Supreme League that still was operating under the FHR authority got its own cup.

In 2010, it became known that the Vysshaya Liga was to be replaced with the KHL–affiliated Higher Hockey League (VHL) under a new ownership.

Most of the Vysshaya Liga clubs re-signed with the new league in the summer of 2010.