View source for Rivalries in the KHL

[[List of sports rivalries|Rivalries]] in the [[Kontinental Hockey League|KHL]] come in many categories. As the league is still young, many of the rivalries have carried over from the days of the [[Russian Superleague]], while others are new and may disappear. Some are based on geography, while others are based on team names or organization that these teams belonged to back in the [[Soviet Union]]. Not all teams have pronounced rivalries that don't change with each season - this article attempts to chronicle only those that last for multiple years.

In the European tradition, rivalries in Russia are referred to as "[[Local derby|Derbies]]".

==Geographic rivalries==

===Capital City Derbies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Hokkej/KHL/spbfoto_KHL-Spartak-CSKA-0 |title=КХЛ. "Спартак" — ЦСКА - SportBox.ru |publisher=News.sportbox.ru |date= |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[HC CSKA Moscow]] vs. [[HC Spartak Moscow]]
* [[HC Spartak Moscow]] vs. [[HC Dynamo Moscow]]
* [[HC Dynamo Moscow]] vs. [[HC CSKA Moscow]]

Every year, sports news outlets even calculate who the Moscow Champion is, based on games just between these three teams. As of the second season of the [[Kontinental Hockey League|KHL]] (2009–10), all the Moscow teams are in one Conference, making rivalry matches more common. Due to hockey being less popular than football and other sports in Moscow, teams based there usually suffer in attendance. Capital city derbies, however, are always attended far better than other games.

===Moscow Oblast Derbies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Hokkej/KHL/spbnews_Atlant-virval-pobedu-v-podmoskovnom-derbi |title="Атлант" вырвал победу в подмосковном дерби - SportBox.ru |publisher=News.sportbox.ru |date= |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]] vs. [[HC Vityaz|Vityaz Chekhov]]
* [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]] vs. [[HC MVD]] (Defunct)
* [[Khimik Voskresensk (2005–)|Khimik Voskresensk]] vs. [[HC MVD]] (Defunct)
* [[HC Vityaz|Vityaz Chekhov]] vs. [[HC MVD]] (Defunct)
* [[HC Vityaz|Vityaz Chekhov]] vs. [[Khimik Voskresensk (2005–)|Khimik Voskresensk]] (Defunct)

===Two Capitals Derbies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockey-world.net/articles-khl/23386-derbi-dvuh-stolitz-ostalosyo-za-qspartakomq |title=Дерби двух столиц осталось за "Спартаком" - Мир хоккея |publisher=Hockey-world.net |date=2010-11-24 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
A continuation of the general rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow, this rivalry encompasses SKA against any of the moscow teams, although not the teams in Moscow Oblast.
* [[SKA Saint Petersburg]] vs. [[HC Spartak Moscow]]
* [[SKA Saint Petersburg]] vs. [[HC Dynamo Moscow]]
* [[SKA Saint Petersburg]] vs. [[HC CSKA Moscow]]

===Tatarstan Derby<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khl.ru/news/2010/9/14/28068.html |title=Континентальная Хоккейная Лига - Татарстанское дерби |publisher=Khl.ru |date=2010-09-14 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[Ak Bars Kazan]] vs. [[HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk|Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk]]
Not as seriously regarded by Ak Bars as by Neftekhimik, this rivalry nonetheless is significant in that Ak Bars has been known to poach players and coaches ([[Vladimir Krikunov]] was poached just before the [[2011–12 KHL season]] following [[Zinetula Bilyaletdinov]]'s hiring by the [[Russia men's national ice hockey team]]. Ak Bars Kazan is regarded as the 'older brother' of Tatarstan hockey, and the rivalry reflect a sibling mentality.

===Ural Derbies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.ru/ru/news/20091127/hockey/article130916/ |title=/ Унййеи / Hockey : "Люцмхрйю" Бшхцпюкю Спюкэяйне Депах |language=ru |publisher=Sport.ru |date=2009-11-27 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[Traktor Chelyabinsk]] vs. [[Metallurg Magnitogorsk]]
* [[Traktor Chelyabinsk]] vs. [[Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg]]
* [[Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg]] vs. [[Metallurg Magnitogorsk]]

===Siberian Derbies===
* [[HC Sibir Novosibirsk]] vs. [[Avangard Omsk]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhockey.ru/khl/articles/84321/ |title=Хоккей на AllHockey.Ru - Сибирское дерби - за Новосибирском |publisher=Allhockey.ru |date=2010-09-27 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl-khl.ru/5786-KHL.SibirskoederbivolevyepobedyMagnitkiiSalavata.html |title=КХЛ. Сибирское дерби, волевые победы Магнитки и Салавата » Новости, результаты, интервью, видео NHL&KHL.RU |publisher=Nhl-khl.ru |date=2010-12-04 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>
* [[HC Sibir Novosibirsk]] vs. [[Metallurg Novokuznetsk]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/sibsektor/140094.html |title=Сибирское дерби. Металлург Нк – Сибирь|publisher=Sports.ru |date=2010-12-22 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>
* [[Avangard Omsk]] vs. [[Metallurg Novokuznetsk]]

===Volga Derbies===
* [[Lokomotiv Yaroslavl]] vs. [[Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.rambler.ru/news/icehockey/585050048.html|title=Волжское дерби осталось за "Локомотивом" |publisher=Sportbox.Ru |date=2010-12-22 |accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref>
* [[Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod]] vs. [[Ak Bars Kazan]]
* [[HC Lada Togliatti]] vs. [[Lokomotiv Yaroslavl]]
* [[HC Lada Togliatti]] vs. [[Ak Bars Kazan]]
* [[HC Lada Togliatti]] vs. [[Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod]]

===Czechoslovak Derby===
* [[HC Lev Praha]] vs. [[HC Slovan Bratislava|Slovan Bratislava]]
The rivalry started when in their first game [[HC Lev Praha|HC Lev]]'s [[Zdeno Chára]] body-cheked Slovan's team captain [[Miroslav Šatan]] after which Šatan had been out of play until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.webnoviny.sk/khl/hokejisti-slovana-remizuju-v-derby-s-pr/570328-clanok.html | title=Slovan vyhral v derby nad Levom, Chára vyradil Šatana | publisher=WebNoviny.sk | date=November 3, 2012 | accessdate=July 15, 2013 | language=Slovak}}</ref> The fairness of this hit was the centre of many discussions.

===Far Eastern Derby===
* [[Amur Khabarovsk]] vs. [[Admiral Vladivostok]]

==Organizational rivalries==

===Army Derby<ref>{{cite web|author= Андрей Белик, iSport.ua |url=http://isport.ua/hockey/khl/news/167161.html |title=КХЛ. Кузня проигрывает Амуру, СКА выигрывает армейское дерби, первая победа Спартака |publisher=iSport.ua |date= |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[HC CSKA Moscow]] vs. [[SKA Saint Petersburg]]
Both teams in Soviet times belonged to the Army organization - (C)SKA stands for (Central'niy) Sportivniy Klub Armii, (Central) Sports Club of the Army.

===Dinamo Derbies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhockey.ru/khl/news/108273/ |title=Хоккей на AllHockey.Ru - КХЛ: в динамовском дерби рижане обыграли москвичей |publisher=Allhockey.ru |date=2011-10-23 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
Not as prominent as the Army rivalry, sometimes games between the [[Dynamo Sports Club]] teams are referred to as a rivalry. Fans also sometimes treat the inter-Dynamo games with special attention. However unlike the other two, the new incarnation of [[Dinamo Riga]] does not directly come from the organization but rather only took the identity of the meanwhile abolished Soviet era [[Dinamo Riga (original)|incarnation of Dinamo Riga]].
* [[Dinamo Riga]] vs. [[HC Dinamo Minsk]]
* [[HC Dinamo Minsk]] vs. [[HC Dynamo Moscow]]
* [[HC Dynamo Moscow]] vs. [[Dinamo Riga]]
Dynamo Moscow and Dinamo Riga have met in three consecutive years of the KHL playoffs (if the series against [[HC MVD]] is included), with Moscow winning two series so far, and Riga only one.

===Khimik Derby (Defunct, also known as Yellow-Blue derby)<ref>{{cite web|author=Константин Нуждёнов |url=http://www.championat.com/hockey/article-23853.html |title=Жёлто-синее дерби в межсезонье - Хоккей - Чемпионат.com |publisher=Championat.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[Khimik Voskresensk (2005–)|Khimik Voskresensk]] vs. [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]] (Defunct)
Before relocating to Mytishchi, Atlant used to be known as Khimik and play in Voskresensk. After relocation, Voskresensk fielded a new team called Khimik in the Russian minor leagues. In the first season of the KHL, Khimik Voskresensk was invited to join the [[Russian Major League]] after it won the league and original invitee [[Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg]] could not fulfill its financial obligations. Not active since Khimik dropped out of the league after the first season due to financial issues (although it theoretically still holds KHL membership and could rejoin if finances allow). Most fans consider Khimik Voskresensk the true heir of Voskresensk hockey, and this rivalry was regarded as both a Moscow Oblast Derby, and an Organizational Derby.

==Divisional rivalries==
Permanent divisions were first introduced to the KHL organizational structure in the second season, 2009-2010 (in the first season, the divisions were based on performance rather than geography, and were designed to be fluid. Starting in the second season, divisions became geographic in order to cut travel costs). As yet, notable rivalries due only to divisions have not really developed, although sports reporters always pay higher attention to games between the top two teams.

* [[Severstal Cherepovets]] vs. [[Lokomotiv Yaroslavl]]
* [[Amur Khabarovsk]] vs. [[Avangard Omsk]]
* [[Amur Khabarovsk]] vs. [[HC Sibir Novosibirsk|Sibir Novosibirsk]]
* [[Amur Khabarovsk]] vs. [[Metallurg Novokuznetsk]]
* [[Dinamo Riga]] vs. [[SKA Saint Petersburg]]

==Play-off rivalries==
* [[Avangard Omsk]] vs. [[Metallurg Magnitogorsk]]
Two of the best teams from the [[Russian Superleague]] era, these two teams are still considered "Grands" and their matches are highlighted by the news when they occur.

* [[Severstal Cherepovets]] vs. [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khl.ru/news/2012/10/2/44986.html |title=Хоккей на KHL.Ru - "Самое принципиальное дерби в истории КХЛ" |publisher=KHL.ru |date=2012-02-10 |accessdate=2012-10-15}}</ref>
* [[SKA Saint Petersburg]] vs. [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]]
* [[Ak Bars Kazan]] vs. [[Traktor Chelyabinsk]]
* [[Ak Bars Kazan]] vs. [[Metallurg Magnitogorsk]]
* [[Salavat Yulaev Ufa]] vs. [[Metallurg Magnitogorsk]]
* [[Lokomotiv Yaroslavl]] vs. [[Atlant Moscow Oblast]]

===Cat Derby===
* [[Barys Astana]] vs. [[Ak Bars Kazan]]
The name of the rivalry comes from the names of the team - both refer to snow leopards. Ak Bars has played Barys in the first playoff round of the first three KHL seasons, and defeated them every year without losing a game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khl.ru/news/2009/3/2/15421.html |title=Континентальная Хоккейная Лига - "Кошачье" дерби |publisher=Khl.ru |date= |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>

===Big Green Derby<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhockey.ru/articles/105342/ |title=Хоккей на AllHockey.Ru - "Большое зеленое дерби" и "сотка" Мозякина |publisher=Allhockey.ru |date=2011-09-17 |accessdate=2011-11-28}}</ref>===
* [[Ak Bars Kazan]] vs. [[Salavat Yulaev Ufa]]
Also can be referred to as the Derby of Champions, these are the first two teams to have won the [[Gagarin Cup]]. Both teams have green uniforms, are from autonomous republics, and have NHL-caliber players, making the games always a much watched and commented on affair.

==Other rivalries==

* [[SKA Saint Petersburg]] vs. [[Severstal Cherepovets]]
* [[HC Vityaz|Vityaz Chekhov]] vs. [[HC Dinamo Minsk]]
* [[HC Vityaz|Vityaz Chekhov]] vs. [[Avangard Omsk]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Kontinental Hockey League}}

[[Category:Kontinental Hockey League]]
[[Category:Ice hockey rivalries]]