ZURICH/KYIV – Due to the political situation in Ukraine, national champion Kompanion Kyiv withdrew its participation from the 2014/2015 IIHF Continental Cup.

As a consequence of the political tensions and armed conflict in parts of the country, several professional hockey clubs had to stop operations including Kompanion Kyiv, which was seeded in Group E of the Continental Cup’s third round in November, after losing funding from its main sponsor. Due to the situation, the start of the Ukrainian championship has also been delayed with currently only three clubs who have declared their ability to participate.

After being informed about the withdrawal by the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, the IIHF has amended the format and informed the teams that play in the second round starting today with the tournaments in Bremerhaven, Germany, and Brasov, Romania.

Kompanion Kyiv will be replaced in Group E of the third round to take place 21-23 November 2014 in Angers, France, by the second-placed team of Group B or C with the better record from their three games in their second-round group played 17-19 October. They will be joined in Angers by Belarusian champion Neman Grodno, host Angers Ducs and the winner of Group C.

The winner of Group B will advance to Group D in Ritten, Italy, that includes host Ritten Sport, Danish champion Herning Blue Fox and Kazakh champion Yertis Pavlodar.

Link: Overview Continental Cup