Memorandum

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement respects the professional contracts of players from both leagues and obliges both sides to follow a range of procedures to avoid conflict situations in the transfer of players from one league to the other.

KHL President Alexander Medvedev and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly signed the memorandum, which is in effect for one year until June 30, 2012.

The document comprises nine items:

1. From the 1st of July 2011 the two parties shall exchange information regarding players who have existing contracts with KHL or NHL clubs. Such information should include the player’s given name, surname, date of birth, club, the expiry date of the contract and the status of the player. At the request of either party, the other party is to send a complete copy of the player’s contract.

2. Both the KHL and the NHL are required each week to update the information with any changes to the players’ contract database.

3. Both leagues are to exchange lists of free agents.

4. Not later than the 11th of July 2011, the KHL pledges to provide the NHL with an English translation of a standard player contract (unilateral, bilateral, and try-out contract). The NHL, having considered this contract, and in the absence of any questions regarding any item on the contract, undertakes to respect this form of contract and shall not enter into any agreements with players who have a contract in the KHL.

5. Not later than the 11th of July 2011, the NHL must provide the KHL with a standard player contract. The KHL, in turn, also having considered this contract, and in the absence of any questions regarding any item on the contract, undertakes to respect this form of contract and shall not enter into any agreements with players who have a contract in the NHL.

6. In case of conflict, both parties shall designate their official representatives for conducting negotiations.

7. For such negotiations the parties undertake to provide all documents which confirm or otherwise relate to a player having signed a professional contract with a hockey club.

8. The venue of negotiations between the designated officials of both leagues will be either Toronto or New York.

9. The NHL and the KHL shall make every effort to reach a consensus on each disputed contractual status of any player, including cases of labor disputes, contract disputes etc. In the event of failure to achieve consensus, each party reserves the right to act as it deems proper under the given circumstances.

“Signing this memorandum is an important step forward in relations between the KHL and the NHL. The nine items on this document will be in effect for a year, after which we will be able to assess the effectiveness. I believe the agreements we have reached on the status of hockey players will in the near future allow our two leagues to exist in a single legal field and will have a positive impact on the development of hockey around the world,” said Alexander Medvedev, President of the KHL.