A look at the 2022 KHL aspirations and the IIHF decisions shaping international hockey
In 2022, rumors circulated from a Swedish source about a possible entry of a team from Sweden into the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The voice behind the speculation was Aftonbladet, a domestic publication known for covering hockey developments in the region. The chatter suggested that Leif Karlsson, a three-time world champion, considered bringing his squad into the KHL, with the club continuing to operate under the Crowns banner. Early projections pointed to basing one of Sweden’s arenas as a home venue, yet this idea did not advance once the Swedish local hockey federation did not approve the plan. The Crowns then weighed the possibility of registering the team in Qatar as an alternative path to join the league. This sequence of events paints a picture of strategic options being weighed by a club looking to make a significant leap into a major European competition.
The discussions about joining the KHL persisted through early 2022, with February marking a turning point as the broader geopolitical landscape affected sports planning. By that time, the onset of the conflict in Ukraine created a new context for how European hockey authorities and clubs approached participation in international leagues. The evolving situation would soon reverberate through policy bodies and competition calendars, influencing decisions that extended beyond the rink.
Spring 2022 brought a decisive shift in international sports governance. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced measures that prevented Russian players from competing in international events, even when those athletes participated under neutral status. The IIHF also removed Russia from hosting duties for its youth world championship, a removal that signaled a broader stance on participation and hosting eligibility. These actions were part of a broader sweep of sanctions and policy adjustments affecting teams and players across the sport.
As the calendar moved into 2023, the IIHF extended its suspension for the 2023/24 season. The organization’s president, Luc Tardif, indicated that the IIHF council would revisit the question of reinstating national teams from Russia and Belarus in March 2024. The decision underscored the federation’s willingness to readdress policies in response to the evolving global situation, while maintaining a careful balance between competitive integrity and the political realities impacting international hockey.
Meanwhile, a lighter note from hockey circles entered the public memory when a Spartak player was reported to have proposed marriage to a partner in Red Square. This anecdote, though far from the core of league politics, serves as a reminder of the sport’s broader cultural footprint and the way moments from the ice can intersect with everyday life and iconic city spaces.