Post by Toronto Maple Leafs on Aug 8, 2012 21:27:44 GMT -5
As we mentioned, we're bringing back the KHL teams from yesteryears:
Northern Konference
Helsinki Hornets - Finland
Manic Minsk - Belarus
Moscow Militia- Russia
The Blitzkrieg of Berlin - Germany
Stockholm Strikers - Sweden
Southern Konference
Munich Olympiad - Germany
Bratislava Balaclavas - Slovakia
Prague Klementinums - Czech Republic
Paris Olympiques - France
Roman Torpedoes - Italy
Helsinki Information:
Owners
Martti Ahtisaari, 2004-Present
Foundation
The Helsinki Hornets were one of the original four KHL franchises to emerge back in 2004 when the league began discussions of unification. Former President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, saw this as an opportunity to give more back to the community of Helsinki; a community for which his appreciation had only grown since his tenure in office. He put everything he had, financially and physically, into creating and establishing the Hornets as one of the cornerstones of the KHL.
Martti purchased the leasing rights to the Hartwall Areena and immediately began hiring the proper hockey personnel in order to build a solid franchise. The entire Finland National management agreed to sign on with the Helsinki Hornets, knowing the season would only span 35 games and would conclude prior to the New Year. This cemented the deal, as it did not cut into the Finnish National Team “time frame”, thus allowing the staff to continue competing on the international level, outside of the KHL.
In 2005, a mere 9 months before the official birth of the new league, Ahtisaari unveiled the teams uniforms, and began confirming rumours that had circulated the team, and the KHL in general, for months. Ahtisaari’s address to the people of Finland was a speech that would become legendary.
KHL Information:
Foundation
The KHL was founded in late 2006, by a ruthless billionaire tyrant whose name was never publicly released. He said his goal was to fight back against the monopoly North America had on hockey, and bring the spark back to Europe.
Since then, the tyrant and his friends have set up a flourishing league of 10 stellar teams, making it one of the most sought-after places to play outside North America.
Rigadori Cup
At the end of the 2007 season, after The Blitzkrieg of Berlin were declared league champions, a mysterious cup was found in their dressing room. The magnificent trophy said nothing but "Congrats, signed, Rigadori", and has since been known as The Rigadori Cup, and has been awarded to winners of the KHL playoffs ever since.
Inaugural Season
The KHL is fresh off its first season. Consisting of 35 games per team from late August to mid December, the season was an overwhelming success.
The first ever KHL league champions were The Blitzkrieg of Berlin, winning a whopping 29 regular season games, and winning 7 straight in the playoffs to take home the championship.
Note: There will be significant players returning to the KHL this season from previous KHL teams.
Northern Konference
Helsinki Hornets - Finland
Manic Minsk - Belarus
Moscow Militia- Russia
The Blitzkrieg of Berlin - Germany
Stockholm Strikers - Sweden
Southern Konference
Munich Olympiad - Germany
Bratislava Balaclavas - Slovakia
Prague Klementinums - Czech Republic
Paris Olympiques - France
Roman Torpedoes - Italy
Helsinki Information:
Owners
Martti Ahtisaari, 2004-Present
Foundation
The Helsinki Hornets were one of the original four KHL franchises to emerge back in 2004 when the league began discussions of unification. Former President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, saw this as an opportunity to give more back to the community of Helsinki; a community for which his appreciation had only grown since his tenure in office. He put everything he had, financially and physically, into creating and establishing the Hornets as one of the cornerstones of the KHL.
Martti purchased the leasing rights to the Hartwall Areena and immediately began hiring the proper hockey personnel in order to build a solid franchise. The entire Finland National management agreed to sign on with the Helsinki Hornets, knowing the season would only span 35 games and would conclude prior to the New Year. This cemented the deal, as it did not cut into the Finnish National Team “time frame”, thus allowing the staff to continue competing on the international level, outside of the KHL.
In 2005, a mere 9 months before the official birth of the new league, Ahtisaari unveiled the teams uniforms, and began confirming rumours that had circulated the team, and the KHL in general, for months. Ahtisaari’s address to the people of Finland was a speech that would become legendary.
KHL Information:
Foundation
The KHL was founded in late 2006, by a ruthless billionaire tyrant whose name was never publicly released. He said his goal was to fight back against the monopoly North America had on hockey, and bring the spark back to Europe.
Since then, the tyrant and his friends have set up a flourishing league of 10 stellar teams, making it one of the most sought-after places to play outside North America.
Rigadori Cup
At the end of the 2007 season, after The Blitzkrieg of Berlin were declared league champions, a mysterious cup was found in their dressing room. The magnificent trophy said nothing but "Congrats, signed, Rigadori", and has since been known as The Rigadori Cup, and has been awarded to winners of the KHL playoffs ever since.
Inaugural Season
The KHL is fresh off its first season. Consisting of 35 games per team from late August to mid December, the season was an overwhelming success.
The first ever KHL league champions were The Blitzkrieg of Berlin, winning a whopping 29 regular season games, and winning 7 straight in the playoffs to take home the championship.
Note: There will be significant players returning to the KHL this season from previous KHL teams.