KHL Condemns Player for Violating IIHF Rules by Competing in Another League

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TJ Tucker
October 18, 2024 (5:18 PM)

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The KHL, widely considered the best hockey league in the world other than the NHL, is fuming after a player under contract with them participated in another league

It's a dispute that could have implications for several recognizable names in the hockey world. And, the KHL says it's more than willing to make that happen if that's what's needed. The KHL, which is widely considered to be the world second best hockey league after the NHL, is not happy after a player under contract with one of their teams is playing in another pro league.

Michal Kristof of Slovakia has been in Russia the past three years playing in the KHL. His first season was spent with Vladivostok Admiral, and he's been with Sochi HC since then. While still under contract with Sochi, Kristof played in a pro league in Switzerland this week, which the KHL alleges breaks the rules set by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Of note is the fact that the KHL is no longer a member of the IIHF as it dropped it's membership earlier this year.

"The IIHF's international transfer regulations state that all IIHF members, their leagues and clubs must respect valid player contracts playing for all organizations, regardless of whether they are IIHF members (section 8.1 of the IIHF transfer regulations). Thus, all IIHF members - leagues and clubs - must respect player contracts with the KHL, even though the KHL is not an IIHF member."

The KHL is also blaming the IIHF for allowing Langnau and the Swiss National League to break its own rules by allowing Michal Kristoff to play. It says two can play at that game.

"The IIHF's decision to permit the transfer puts clubs in the Swiss championship and the protection of their players' contracts at risk. The practice of violating contracts can work both ways."

The relationship between the IIHF and the KHL has been been strained since both Russia and Belarus were banned from competing in IIHF-sanctioned tournaments following to outbreak of war in Ukraine. While it's never been said publicly, it is almost certainly the reason the KHL rejected its membership in the IIHF. Many North American players, former NHLers and AHLers, are under contract with teams in the KHL, and are mostly likely watching this situation unfold with great interest.