Jokerit Helsinki, Dinamo Riga officially withdraw from KHL for 2022-23

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused ripples throughout the sporting world, and hockey is no exception. The NHL has severed ties with the KHL. The IIHF banned Russia and Belarus from international tournaments until further notice. Jokerit Helsinki withdrew from the 2021-22 KHL playoffs in February in protest of the Russian invasion.

Now, we’re seeing consequences carrying over into the next hockey season. On Tuesday, Jokerit announced it was withdrawing from the KHL for 2022-23. Also withdrawing: Latvian club Dinamo Riga, which had missed the playoffs this season. Both teams had previously announced pulling out of the KHL for the remainder of 2021-22, but the KHL made it official Tuesday that neither team is returning next season.

It is not yet known where or if Jokerit and Riga will play in 2022-23. Jokerit, of course, was a longtime staple of the Finnish Liiga before migrating to the KHL in 2014. Dinamo Riga has spent its entire existence in various versions of the top Russian leagues and was one of the KHL’s founding franchises beginning in 2008-09.

The KHL has indicated it will move forward with 22 franchises next season, three of which are based outside Russia: Kunlun Red Star (China), Barys Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) and Dinamo Minsk (Belarus).