Time for a more professional approach

Let's hope Kunlun Red Star proves more adept at overseeing the development of China's national hockey teams than it is at organizing media conferences.

Red Star, the nation's top professional team and lone entry in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League, last year struck a deal with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association to build the national senior men's and women's teams, as well as the U20 and U18 squads for IIHF-sanctioned junior tournaments.

It was a major step in the government's effort to develop the nation's prowess in winter sports, but the club has been curiously reticent in keeping the media up to date on the project - or anything else, for that matter.