VHL Predictions, Matches & Live Chats

About the league

The VHL (Vysshaya Khokkeinaya Liga) is the second-tier ice hockey league in Russia, founded in 1992. The league has a rich history, with top teams including Rubin Tyumen, Toros Neftekamsk, and Saryarka Karaganda. The competition format features a regular season with 52 games, followed by a playoff tournament to determine the champion. The VHL is a feeder league to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), with top-performing teams earning promotion. Notable achievements include the league's growth in popularity, with increasing attendance and media coverage. The VHL has also produced talented players who have gone on to compete in the KHL and internationally. As a niche league, the VHL's structure consists of 26 teams from Russia, Kazakhstan, and China, with a dedicated audience of hockey fans in these regions. While not as widely recognized as the KHL, the VHL plays an important role in developing Russian hockey talent and providing competitive hockey to fans in the region.