KHL adds 29th team

The Kontinental Hockey League has a new team.

Jokerit Hockey Club of Helsinki have been approved by the KHL to become the leagues 29^th team and they will begin play in the 2014-15 season.

The agreement of intent was signed recently and it establishes that the KHL will allow Jokerit to play in their league under the condition that the Finnish club meet all the necessary requirements, including financial guarantees.

The move came about after Russian billionaire Boris Rotenburg purchased a 49 percent stake in the team, as well as full ownership of their stadium, Hartwall Arena.

“We are extremely satisfied about this contract and pleased to conclude the long negotiations successfully [with the KHL]," Rotenberg said Wednesday according to the Jokerit website. "Jokerit already has a fantastic organization, infrastructure and youth development program which enable the club to successfully join the KHL. Jokerit has the possibility to become one of the most successful brands in the league both financially and on the ice."

Jokerit will depart from the SM-Liiga amid protests for the league and even some of their fans. They will become the first team in the KHL team not to be from Eastern Europe and to have been under former Communist rule.

KHL president Alexander Medvedev has successfully expanded the KHL over recent years and adding the Finnish based side is a major coup. He had previously failed with bids to establish teams in Poland and Italy due to financial concerns but his quest to expand doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. He has previously stated he wants to expand the league as far as Britain although the number of teams he wants to have in the KHL remains unclear.

KHL League News:

Two more coaches have been relieved of their duties, as Vladimir Krikunov’s contract as Neftekhimik head coach has been terminated by mutual consent. Dmitry Balmin has taken temporary charge of the team until a full time replacement can be found.

Ugra have also announced the departure of head coach Sergei Shepelev and two of his assistants, Nikolai Solovyov and Sergei Kotov. Oleg Davydov has been appointed acting head coach despite only being a member of the senior coaching staff for three days. Davydov had previously been assistant coach of the Ugra Mammoths youth team.

There is a break in league play for 10 days in the KHL as Team Russia will be playing in the Karjala Cup which is being held in Finland. Aside from the tournament, there will also be a training camp for the invited players. The KHL will resume play on November 13^th. The Russian roster for the Karjala Cup, which runs from November 7^th-10^th, is as follows:

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