René Fasel is keen to crack the Asian market ©Getty Images

International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President René Fasel has acknowledged the sport has a "tremendous opportunity" to develop in Asia.

Both of the next two Winter Olympic Games will take place on the continent - in Pyeongchang in South Korea in 2018 and then in Chinese capital Beijing in 2022.

Ice hockey, however, has failed to really take root in Asia and is currently dominated by North American and European nations.

No Asian teams played at the IIHF men's World Championships in Russia in May with Japan - who are currently ranked 21st in the world - the highest rated country from the continent.

Fasel is hoping Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 will change all that, with the development of a Chinese Hockey League seen as a key step.

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) - which features 22 Russian teams as well as clubs from Belarus, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Finland, Latvia and Slovakia - is also set to admit Chinese club Kunlun Red Star.

The Asia League, meanwhile, covers Russia, China, South Korea and Japan with promotion of these divisions seen as vital.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to build and promote ice hockey development in Asia," said Fasel.

A Chinese team will join the Russian-dominated Kontinental Hockey League ©Getty Images
A Chinese team will join the Russian-dominated Kontinental Hockey League ©Getty Images

"With the next two Winter Olympics coming up in Korea and China, coupled with the KHL presence in China and the development of a Chinese Hockey League, we must double our efforts to ensure ice hockey gains a strong foothold in the Far East".

South Korea has given passports to Canadian players to boost its team's chances at Pyeongchang 2018, while China has been receiving support from the Czech Republic ahead of Beijing.

The success of both Olympic competitions, however, seems likely to largely depend on whether NHL players will be allowed to compete.

A row over who will pay for the costs and insurance of players from the world's top league will need to be resolved in order for them to play.

The International Olympic Committee have contributed to costs for all five Olympic Games NHL players have participated in ever since they first appeared at Nagano in 1998.

They have now changed their stance, however, meaning there is far more pressure on the IIHF and the NHL to shoulder the financial burden.