Yesterday we brought you 'Five things you should know' ahead of the start of the 2019/20 Champions Hockey League. Today, we're looking at five things you should look out for as the season is set to get under way!
1. Top Scorers
If you're not sure who to watch on a particular team, check out the player wearing the 'Top Scorer' jersey. While in the first games these will be the team captains, from Game Day 2 onwards these will be the players who have the most points for their team in the CHL this season.
2. Debut teams
The CHL has 10 debuting teams in 2019/20. They are: Augsburger Panther (GER), Belfast Giants (UK), EHC Biel-Bienne (SUI), Frisk Asker (NOR), Graz99ers (AUT), HC Ambrì-Piotta (SUI), HPK Hämeenlinna (FIN), Lahti Pelicans (FIN), Lausanne HC (SUI) & Rungsted Seier Capital (DEN).
3. First time qualifiers
In recent seasons we've seen teams from Belarus, France, Italy, Norway and the UK made it to the Round of 16. Until now, no club from Denmark or Poland has made it to the CHL Playoffs- will this be the first time?
4. Previous finalists
Last season, both JYP Jyväskylä (defending champions) and Växjö Lakers went out in the Group Stage after contesting the Final in 2018. Will Frölunda Indians and Red Bull Munich be able to prove that was just an anomaly rather than a 'curse'?
5. Goals, goals goals!
5.88, 5.90 - the average number of goals per game has increased steadily over the last two seasons since the new qualification format was brought in. How many will we see each game this season?