There will be hockey In Ukraine this season?

09 Sep 2013 | Davide Tuniz

With the announcement of closure of Dynamo Kharkiv, one year after the resurrection, just three teams left in the (former) ambitious PHL. But at now there isn't neither an hypothesis of calendar

In July 2012 the re-born of Dynamo Kharkiv was presented as the return of the most popular team of hockey in the city, after the short adventure of Kharkivs’ki Akuly Kharkiv, closed after one season. Now, a year after, also Dynamo announced with a short statement the team won't partecipate in next Professional Hockey League (PHL). "This year, Dynamo Kharkiv will not compete in PHL due to lack of funds. The club will continue to operate the juniors section" - said the honorary president of the Dynamo Kharkiv Mikhail Dobkin.

Thus, the next league will remain for now with just 3 teams confirmed: Companion Kyiv, Sokil Kyiv, Bily Bars Bila Tserkva.

From other clubs, the scenario is all but positive: Berkut Kyiv didn't officially announced the closure but at the begin of July club confirmed won't take part of in the championship of Ukraine. The new project to resurrect former Patriot Vinnitsa open and closed in two months while Levy L'viv originally confirmed their partecipation but last week club Director Mikhail Chikantsev questioned the continuation of activities: "The professional team of Levy exists today only on paper.There is an agreement with a coach and some hockey players. We do not promulgated this fact, because the future of Levy is open to question. The reason? Financial. Urgent problems in the club were constantly postponed" said Chikantsev.

To complete the distressing panorama, at now there are no news about the start of championship, the format and the definitive number of partecipants. A meeting of PHL scheduled in August was postponed but still has no data to happen