Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) announced last Friday that Red Star Kunlun, a Beijing-based hockey team, has agreed to join the league from the 2016/17 season.

As part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, the two sides signed a contract on Saturday to make the deal official.

“Legal procedures linked to the process of Red Star Kunlun’s admission to the KHL are ongoing, as well as the formation of the team and its pre-season preparations,” as a KHL statement said.

Kunlun's inclusion will take the KHL to 29 teams, coming from eight countries in Europe and Asia. During its debut year, the team is expected to rely on foreign players. Mike Keenan who won both Stanley Cup and KHL's Gagarin Cup as a coach, is believed to have been appointed the new team’s head coach.

As the 2022 Winter Olympics are set to be held in Beijing, the establishment of Kunlun will boost the development of the KHL as well as the sport.

Source: torontosun.com

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin