VHL-B (Russia) 2022/23

The all-Russian hockey league B, commonly known as VHL-B, served as the third tier of Russian ice hockey before its dissolution in 2023. The competition operated under the auspices of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) after operational rights transferred from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (FHR) in 2015. Prior to that period, the league was known as the Russian Hockey League (RHL) following a reorganization in 2011.

The structure evolved significantly during its existence. While early iterations utilized territorial divisions with playoffs for the winners, the format settled into a unified regular season featuring a playoff system for the top four teams. Success in these series, typically decided by four wins, did not guarantee automatic promotion to the second tier. Clubs such as CSK VVS and HC Rostov had to apply for advancement based on both sporting results and financial readiness.

Within this framework, established clubs competed against developing teams. Participants like Kristall Saratov, Dynamo Altai, and Chelny utilized the league to bridge the gap between junior hockey and senior professional levels. The competition distinguished itself from the MHL-B, which focused exclusively on players under the age of 20, by accommodating older professionals and regional squads.

Championship history saw various regional powers rise to prominence. HC Tambov, HC Rostov, and Krasnye Krylya claimed titles in the mid-2010s and early 2020s. CSK VVS, based in Samara, secured the final championship in the 2022–23 season. The league ceased operations in May 2023 due to financial difficulties, marking the end of a formal third-tier national structure. Surviving entities were expected to integrate into the VHL or regional competitions following the closure.