Degtyarev spoke about the negotiations between Russia and the United States on the matches between the KHL and the NHL

Russia and the United States are discussing at the working level the possibility of holding hockey matches between the players of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL). This was announced on April 11 by Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and President of the Russian Olympic Committee.

"The calendar is the most important topic for discussion right now. There are also work issues: commercial broadcast rights, ticket program, promotion, etc. Work is underway at the working, grassroots level. As soon as the details are agreed, the public will know about it," the minister said in a conversation with reporters.

Degtyarev stressed that representatives of different countries compete in both leagues.

"But the brightest star, of course, is [the Washington Capitals hockey forward Alexander Ovechkin — he wrote his name in the history of world sports. And it's okay that he broke the record overseas. Sport unites nations," the Minister stressed.

He added that the SKA Arena in St. Petersburg and the Capital One Arena in Washington are being considered for organizing matches.

"I would love to play in a match between the KHL and NHL teams"

Avangard hockey player Konstantin Okulov — about the game that Putin and Trump agreed on, the chances of the Russian national team returning to the international stage, the success of the Omsk club and the extension of the contract

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the idea of holding hockey matches between Russians and Americans playing in the KHL and NHL during telephone conversations with his American counterpart Donald Trump on March 18. The US president supported the Russian leader's proposal.

The next day, Degtyarev announced that his department had already begun work on organizing matches between the KHL and the NHL. He noted that sport has always contributed to detente in international relations.