By Kirill Pirogov
Zurich, Switzerland has hosted the heads of the International Hockey Federation, and representatives from the National Hockey League, the Continental Hockey League and various leagues and federations from Austria, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden and Belarus. The meeting tackled the revival of Champions League, looking at its development over the next three years, with the plan approved by most participants.
Annually, 16 teams are to play 59 matches as part of the Champions League. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Hockey Federation received confirmation from the IIHF that, in the 2011/2012 season, a winner of the Continental Cup — Yunost Minsk — will join the Champions League.
The final decision regarding the new Champions League format will be taken in late February, when the clubs should confirm their readiness to participate.
