Ukraine’s first professional league will start on September 15 with eight teams

The 20th Ukranian Vyscha Liha, the first ever as Ukraine Professional League, will start on September 15, after the board approved teams' applications yesterday. There will be eight teams: Berkut Kyiv, Companion-Naftogaz Kyiv, Donbas Donets'k, Haydamaky Vinnytsya, Kharkivs'ki Akuly Kharkiv, Levy L'viv, Sokil Kyiv and Bilyy Bars Brovary.

Vorony Sumy and Avanhard Kyiv weren't approved.

Originally the board also approved the application of HC Kalush, who had joined the founders of the League under the name of Tsunami Ivano-Frankivsk but later the team was excluded for not having submitted all necessary documents, including financial guarantees.

The competition will have six rounds round robin to determine the playoffs grid. All teams will play post season playoffs. On January 22 an All Star Game will be played in Kyiv. The winner will receive a 300,000 dollar prize. Defending champion is Donbas Donets'k that will compete also in Russian VHL.

State television will broadcast one match every round, starting with the replay of last year final Donbas Donets'k - Sokil Kyiv.

 

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