Alexei Morozov, centre, has been named KHL President ©Getty Images

Alexei Morozov has been announced as President of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), following the departure of Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Chernyshenko stepped down as KHL President last month after he was appointed as one of nine Deputy Prime Ministers in Russia.

Chernyshenko, who had had previously served as President and chief executive of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, had led the KHL since 2014.

The appointment of Morozov was confirmed today after a meeting of the KHL Board of Directors.

The 42-year-old enjoyed a successful playing career before becoming a sports administrator.

Morozov won Olympic silver as part of the Russian team at the Nagano 1998, while he won World Championship gold medals in 2008 and 2009.

He now takes charge of running the KHL, a professional ice hockey league founded in 2008, having served as the managing director of their Junior Hockey League.

Morozov will continue in his post as Junior Hockey League managing director until a replacement has been found.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, right, stepped down as KHL President to take up his role as Russian Deputy Prime Minister ©Getty Images
Dmitry Chernyshenko, right, stepped down as KHL President to take up his role as Russian Deputy Prime Minister ©Getty Images

"As you all know, our outgoing president Dmitry Chernyshenko is taking up a post in the new Russian government, where he will serve as Deputy Prime Minister," Gennady Timchenko, chair of the KHL Board, said.

"Among his many activities there, he will continue to oversee questions concerning sports in Russia and I’m sure we will continue to have close contact with him.

"I would like to record my deep gratitude to Dmitry for all of his hard work over the last five years.

"The Board of Directors has chosen to award the position of KHL President to Alexey Morozov, who was previously vice-president for the development of junior hockey.

"I am sure he is a man who needs no introduction to many, famed as a great player and one of the most exciting forwards in the history of Russian hockey.

"Alexey has great authority in the world of hockey among players, coaches, club managers, journalists and, of course, fans.

"For almost five years he has worked effectively as the head of the Junior Hockey League and I’m sure he will have picked up vital experience in that role to help him move on to this bigger task."

The KHL currently comprises of 19 Russian teams, with one team each from China, Finland, Kazakhstan and Latvia.