Hradec Králové must stay put

HC Lev Hradec Králové's revolutionary challenge to become a part of the expanding Russian Continental Hockey League (KHL) ended in vain after the Czech Ice Hockey Association (ČSLH) failed to authorize the proposed move.

A unanimous 11-0 decision of the ČSLH executive board in early June dashed Hradec Králové's hopes to become the first Czech team to join the KHL. The league was founded in 2008 as a Russian response to North America's National Hockey League (NHL). Today, 20 KHL participants are based in Russia with the remaining four located in Belarus, Latvia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

"We decided to rule against Hradec Králové's involvement in the KHL because it could harm other Czech teams, and also our association does not have any agreements with the KHL," said ČSLH General Secretary Martin Urban.

HC Lev Hradec Králové's KHL challenge is creating turmoil. Last year, then Extraliga champion HC Karlovy Vary admitted it was eyeing the KHL and said it was negotiating with the Russian league's management. Hradec Králové came much closer to joining the Russian league this year. The club had been developing its bid throughout the year and underwent several audits by KHL officials. After examining the Czech club's infrastructure, KHL management issued in May a preliminary agreement allowing Hradec Králové to join the KHL next season.

Despite competing in the Czech Republic's second division, Hradec Králové secured sponsorship of some 350 million Kč to finance the jump to the Russian league. In contrast, the richest Extraliga clubs' seasonal budgets reach only some 150 million Kč in sponsorship.

In order to boost the chance of being approved by the ČSLH, Hradec Králové even offered to play some home games in Prague and Brno.

Two of the country's most celebrated hockey players are currently competing in the KHL. Forward Jaromír Jágr plays for Avangard Omsk, and veteran goalie Dominik Hašek agreed in early June to join Spartak Moscow. Hradec Králové spokesman Zdeněk Šesták said games against Avangard and Spartak were slated to take place in major Czech towns. "It would be an attractive opportunity for many Czech hockey fans to see some world-class hockey," Šesták said.

But representatives of Czech hockey clubs fear Hradec Králové could threaten their position.

"Hradec Králové's participation in the KHL would cause an exodus of players," said HC Sparta Praha General Manager Petr Bříza. "And if Hradec went on and lured Extraliga players to boost its team, it would initiate salary inflation in the Extraliga."

Šesták said none of Hradec sponsors was among Extraliga clubs' sponsors.

HC Chomutov General Manager Milan Vacke said fans' focus on Hradec Králové's KHL games could overshadow the Extraliga. As a result, Vacke said, commercial sponsors could lose interest in supporting the top-flight Czech hockey league.

KHL boss Alexander Medvedev said the ČSLH decision harmed Czech hockey and it prevents new would-be sponsors from investing their money. Medvedev said Hradec Králové fulfilled KHL's criteria but the Russian management is not willing to admit any foreign team whose participation is not supported by their national hockey association.

Urban said the Czech association was ready to consider participation of a Czech team in the KHL in the future.

"We aren't saying 'no' forever," Urban said.

František Bouc can be reached at
fbouc@praguepost.com