FHU: There is a verbal agreement with six clubs to participate in the championship of Ukraine. Looking forward to new teams

Head of the sports department of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine Yuri Kirichenko told in what form they plan to hold the next championship of Ukraine.

According to him, the FHU has reached an oral agreement with six clubs that plan to play in the national championship under martial law in Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv Sokol is considering the option of parallel participation in the Polish championship.

“There is a verbal agreement with the leaders of at least six teams. We expect that all three winners of the last tournament – Kyiv Sokol, Kremenchuk and Kherson Dnipro – will perform in the championship. We also expect the emergence of new teams, ”said Kirichenko.

“Currently, negotiations are underway with the leadership of several cities, as well as business representatives interested in financing hockey clubs. Of course, due to the difficult financial situation in the country, no one has yet guaranteed their participation in the championship. So far, no one has big illusions about the interest in financing teams from a large number of sponsors. Most of our hockey partners in the current realities have suspended their activities or are surviving.”

“Negotiations about Sokol’s performance in the Polish Championship are indeed underway. The Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine assists the people of Kiev during the negotiation process. But with the condition that Sokol should also compete in our national championship. Aware of all the risks associated with the success of such a combination. It is clear that it is physically impossible to play on two fronts with one team. In Poland, teams play around 40 matches per season. The same amount must be played in the Ukrainian championship. 80 fights is an NHL load. Taking into account the fact that neither here nor in Poland, no one will compare the Sokol match schedule and adapt it to use in other tournaments.

“In a word, it is up to Sokol’s leadership to decide whether to play in different tournaments with one or two teams. We understand that for the national team in conditions when the level of the national championship falls, it will be better for the people of Kiev, who include many candidates for the main team of the country, to play in more competitive competitions. But we will not encourage or prohibit Sokol’s participation in the foreign championship.

Last season in the Ukrainian Hockey League was ended ahead of schedule due to a full-scale Russian invasion. Sokol, who was the leader in the championship at the time of the forced pause, was recognized as the champion of Ukraine.