A Surprise Move to SKA Arena in St. Petersburg, the KHL’s Biggest Stage
The first shocker is that the Dragons are leaving Mytishchi and moving into Saint Petersburg’s SKA Arena, the largest hockey venue on the planet. That announcement alone, posted on their official Instagram, turned heads. After years of struggling with attendance in Mytishchi, the team had finally begun to build a small but loyal local fanbase last season. The decision to jump from a modest suburban rink into a massive hypermodern arena has left many observers baffled.
Why the Dragons?
The name itself taps deep into Chinese tradition and symbolism. “In Chinese culture, the dragon is a beast of strength, fortune, and sky-high ambition. (…) Not just a mascot – it’s an archetype,” the club wrote. Their new color palette reflects this cultural depth too: red for passion and China itself, imperial yellow for tradition and honor, and turquoise to represent hope and the East.
According to the team, “Every detail of our visual identity taps into China’s cultural DNA. It’s more than a look – it’s an unspoken statement.”
From Mytishchi to Shanghai… Eventually
Despite now calling Saint Petersburg home, the team insists that Shanghai remains its true destination. “The name says it all – the mission leads us back to the electric, futuristic city of Shanghai. And sooner than you think,” they teased in their announcement. Could that mean as early as next season? That remains to be seen, but many fans are hoping.
Others, however, were left confused or disappointed. Some fans and analysts had hoped to see the team rejoin the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH), where it could focus on developing Chinese players. Instead, the Dragons are doubling down on the KHL.
Roster Without Roots
Perhaps the biggest question surrounds the team’s roster. Last season, Kunlun Red Star didn’t field a single player born in China. Only six players with Chinese heritage appeared in the lineup: Spencer Foo, Parker Foo, Lucas Lockhart, Brandon Yip, Tyler Wong, and Austin Wong. While Jeremy Smith and Chris Chelios also suited up, neither has any Chinese ancestry despite representing China at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Now, even that limited core is dissolving. Lockhart signed a lucrative deal with Spartak Moscow after a strong season, Tyler Wong is heading to HK Poprad in Slovakia’s Extraliga (where he’ll reunite with Ryan Sproul), and Brandon Yip’s future remains uncertain.
Not to mention that purists wouldn’t even consider heritage players as true representatives of Chinese hockey — especially since, as of 2024, the national team no longer relies on naturalized players.
Disconnect From Chinese Hockey?
Adding to the uncertainty is the unclear relationship between the Dragons and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association. While Kunlun was once seen as China’s gateway to international hockey, that role seems to have shifted. Today, the hub of Chinese hockey development is clearly in Beijing, centered around the Beijing Lions – the current core of the national team. A second development center is also emerging in Shenzhen.
With no Chinese-born players, hardly any naturalized stars remaining, and no formal link to the federation, many are left asking: who exactly are the Shanghai Dragons representing?
Shanghai Dragons: A Bold New Chapter With More Questions Than Answers
In fairness, the club promises answers are coming. “We’re not just building a hockey team – we’re launching a next-level project with serious swagger and Chinese grit,” they wrote.
What exactly that project entails, and whether it will bring the team back to China, remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the rebrand has sparked conversation across both the KHL and Asian hockey circles.
For now, the Dragons are breathing fire. But whether they’ll find a real home – in Shanghai or anywhere else – is still anyone’s guess.
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