According to league president Alexander Medvedev, the Cup was named after Gagarin because Russian citizens associate his name with the achievement of great accomplishments, and the man himself has been described as a symbol of the nation.
KHL:n komissaarin Aleksandr Medvedevin mukaan Cup nimettiin Gagarinin mukaan, koska venäläiset yhdistävät Gagarinin nimen erityiseen saavutukseen ja mies itse on kuvattu kansakunnan symbolina.