International Hockey

Unleashing The Dragon: Meet The New KHL Franchise – Shanghai Dragons

SD logo news

7 August 2025

The 2025-2026 hockey season will welcome a brand-new contender in Fonbet KHL Western Conference: Shanghai Dragons, the official successor to Beijing HC Kunlun Red Star.

This isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a full-scale transformation – a bold move to a new city, a new name, a new crest, and a fresh brand identity. But at the heart of it all remains the same mission: to elevate Chinese hockey to new heights.

Team Name (English): Shanghai Dragons
Team Name (Russian): ШанхайДрэгонс
Team Name (Chinese): 上海龙队 / ShànghǎiLóngDuì

The dragon, a legendary figure in Chinese cosmology, represents strength, wisdom, and good fortune. It’s one of the four celestial guardians in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing the East – directionally and spiritually. It’s a powerful statement: the new identity is rooted deeply in cultural authenticity while embracing a global stage.

The team colours- turquoise, imperial yellow, and red – each carry strong cultural meaning.

  • Turquoise evokes the East and springtime – a symbol of renewal and hope.
  • Yellow is the colour of emperors and sovereignty, long associated with the dragon itself.
  • Red is both a nod to the national flag and an emblem of celebration and vitality.

Together, this palette builds a vibrant, unmistakable visual identity – a fusion of tradition and modernity. The Shanghai Dragons don’t just represent a city or a league. They stand as a cultural ambassador, a living bridge between China and the world of hockey.

From the Russian perspective, the dragon is not a threat – it’s a symbol of majesty and reverence. This makes it the perfect mascot for a club that aims to embody the best of both Russian and Chinese values – discipline, pride, ambition, and creativity.The choice of this symbol highlights the unprecedented strength of the Russia-China partnership – on the ice, in culture, and far beyond. It’s no coincidence that Shanghai and St. Petersburg have been sister cities since 1988. With Shanghai Dragons, this connection now skates onto the ice.

The dragon isn’t just a logo. It’s a mission statement. This club is built on high standards – not only on the scoreboard, but in everything it does: performance, marketing, community engagement, and international presence. The roster will feature top-tier talent, while the team itself will be based in one of the world’s most stunning arenas – in the…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at news_en – Kunlun Red Star…