Next season, Russian hockey fans will have options.

The nation's greatest athletic exports will be carried live for the first time, as it has been announced that the NHL reached a multi-platform partnership with Eurosport to broadcast games for the next three seasons.

"This agreement with Eurosport will come as great news to NHL fans in Russia," the NHL's Executive Vice President of Media Distribution and Strategy said in a statement.

"Our global strategy and commitment is to bring the biggest stars in the NHL into homes around the world and to inspire the future generation of NHL players."

Eurosport is the leader in winter sports coverage in Europe. It broadcasts major international tournaments and competitions for a variety of popular winter sports, and also provides coverage for Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.