Russian Superleague

Russian Superleague
CountriesRussia
Federation(s)IIHF (1996–2006)
Founded1999
Folded2008 (reorganized as KHL)
No. of teams20
Relegation toMajor League
ChampionshipRussian Championship
Associated Title(s)Cup of Russia
Recent ChampionsSalavat Yulaev Ufa (2007–08)
Most successful clubLokomotiv Yaroslavl, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (3)
Websitewww.fhr.ru

The Russian Superleague (Russian: Чемпионат России Суперлига, Russian Championship Superleague), commonly abbreviated as RSL, was the highest division of the main professional ice hockey league in Russia. It was considered the second-best league in the world, after the National Hockey League (NHL) of North America.[1] It was a part of the Russian Pro Hockey League which was composed of three divisions — the Superleague, Major League (Vysshaya Liga), and First League (Pervaya Liga).

The league was rebranded after the 2007/2008 season as the KHL. The KHL absorbed all 20 teams from the previous RSL season, for a total of 24 for its inaugural campaign.