The International Hockey League (MHL) () lasted from 1992 to 1996. It replaced the Soviet Union's Championship league. The last season was in 1995–96, as the league was replaced by the Russian Superleague the following season.
Unlike the Soviet championship, which was awarded to the best team through the regular season, the MHL introduced a playoff system. There were two trophies in the league: one, the MHL Cup, was awarded to the winner of the playoffs, the other, the MHL Championship, to the winner of the regular season.
The first season of the league sent its champion, HC Dynamo Moscow, to a championship series against HC CSK VVS Samara, the winner of the second-tier Championship of Russia. Dynamo won all three games and were proclaimed Absolute Champions of Russia, which earned them qualification to the IIHF European Cup.
Champions +SeasonChampionSecond placeThird placeWinners of the Cup1992–93Dynamo MoscowLada TogliattiTraktor ChelyabinskDynamo Moscow1993–94Lada TogliattiDynamo MoscowTraktor Chelyabinsk, SKA St. PetersburgLada Togliatti1994–95Dynamo MoscowLada TogliattiMetallurg Magnitogorsk, Salavat Yulaev UfaDynamo Moscow1995–96Lada TogliattiDynamo MoscowSalavat Yulaev Ufa, Avangard OmskDynamo Moscow
See also Russian Elite Hockey Scoring Champion Russian Elite Hockey Goal Scoring Champion
References
Sources International Hockey League Sports 123