International Hockey League (1992–1996)
1990's post-USSR ice hockey league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The International Hockey League (MHL) (Russian: Межнациональная хоккейная лига (МХЛ), romanized: Mezhnatsional'naya khokkeynaya liga) lasted from 1992 to 1996. It replaced the Soviet Union's Championship league. The last season was in 1995–96, as the league was replaced by the Russian Superleague the following season.
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| Formerly | Soviet Championship League |
|---|---|
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Folded | 1996 |
| Replaced by | Russian Superleague |
Unlike the Soviet championship, which was awarded to the best team through the regular season, the MHL introduced a playoff system. There were two trophies in the league: one, the MHL Cup, was awarded to the winner of the playoffs, the other, the MHL Championship, to the winner of the regular season.
The first season of the league sent its champion, HC Dynamo Moscow, to a championship series against HC CSK VVS Samara, the winner of the second-tier Championship of Russia. Dynamo won all three games and were proclaimed Absolute Champions of Russia, which earned them qualification to the IIHF European Cup.[1]
Champions
| Season | Champion | Second place | Third place | Winners of the Cup |
| 1992–93 | Dynamo Moscow | Lada Togliatti | Traktor Chelyabinsk | Dynamo Moscow |
| 1993–94 | Lada Togliatti | Dynamo Moscow | Traktor Chelyabinsk, SKA St. Petersburg | Lada Togliatti |
| 1994–95 | Dynamo Moscow | Lada Togliatti | Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa | Dynamo Moscow |
| 1995–96 | Lada Togliatti | Dynamo Moscow | Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Avangard Omsk | Dynamo Moscow |