Pavel Bure is leading the charge to start a new league featuring the world's best retired hockey players.

The former NHL superstar is the chairman of a new initiative called the World Legends Hockey League, which was formalized in a meeting with the participating countries in Moscow on Thursday.

The plan is for teams representing Russia, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany to begin play in October, with a final round in January.

Canada and the United States won't initially be represented, but an All-Star game between Russia and a team of players from the participating countries and the North American nations is expected to usher in the new project.

Players and officials must be 45 years or older to take part.

The league has the support of the IIHF and its president, Rene Fasel.

- With h/t to Sportsnet