Barclays to Host Russian Hockey

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 05: The Barclay Center, a sports arena and future home of the National Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets, is seen under construction on March 5, 2012 at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The stadium is scheduled to open September 28, 2012; the New Jersey Nets will be renamed the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The president of the Russian hockey league, the KHL, told a Russian sports publication that his teams will play both regular season and exhibition games at the Barclays Center this season.

"We decided that when the basketball club [the Nets] finishes building its arena in Brooklyn, KHL Legends Game and regular season games will be held there," said Alexander Medvedev, adding that "the NHL promised that they won't oppose [having KHL games in Brooklyn]." Mikhail Prokhorov owns 45% of Barclays Center. The Islanders will play a preseason game vs. the Devils on October 2, four days after Jay-Z opens the arena with a concert.

“Hockey will have a place at Barclays Center,” was all Brett Yormark had to say Monday in an e-mailed statement.