 The league was formed in 2003 due to declining popularity in the Japan Ice Hockey League and the folding of the Korea Ice Hockey League . It was formed with the goal of promoting hockey and developing players ' skills . The league initially comprised five teams in two countries . It expanded to highs of four countries ( 2004 – 05 season ) and nine teams ( 2005 – 06 season ) and it comprised eight teams from three countries in the 2013 – 14 season . Prior to the 2014 – 15 season a team from Yuzhno @-@ Sakhalinsk , HC Sakhalin , was affiliated to the league . 
