Continuing our Group Stage Preview series is one of the most evenly drawn groups of this season of the Champions Hockey League, Group C.
The group is comprised of DEL side Adler Mannheim, who will be skating in their seventh CHL campaign, Lukko Rauma and the Cardiff Devils, who will both be appearing in their fifth season and Lausanne HC, one of five teams representing Switzerland in 2020/21.
All four clubs have a similar track record in the competition and are eager to make it out of the Group Stage, but which two teams will it end up being? Let’s take a look!
Adler Mannheim
Die Adler have qualified for every CHL season save one and have advanced past the Group Stage three times, winning their group on all three occasions. They’ve made it to the Round of 16 twice but have failed to advance further in the competition.
The eight-time DEL champions are a heavyweight of German hockey but enter 2020/21 after a season of mixed success in their domestic league. After winning the regular season group south division, the south-German club were eying the championship title but were knocked out in an intense semi-finals clash with the Wolfsburg Grizzly. For Adler, a successful season is winning the title.
“The playoffs are our first goal,” said Sports Manager Jan-Axel Alavaara about his side’s goals for the upcoming CHL season. Will Adler hold up against the fierce competition in Group C?
Ones to watch
Andrew Desjardins – the 35-year-old forward has over 450 NHL games to his name and is one of Mannheim’s most important players upfront. Keep on eye on him at all times.
Matthias Plachta – has been at the club since 2009/10 and has four CHL seasons under his belt. The 30-year-old forward has racked up 19 points in the CHL over the years and has been an integral part of Adler’s line-up for years.
First game
Cardiff Devils VS Adler Mannheim, Ice Arena Wales, 26 August 20:00 CEST
Lukko Rauma
Finnish side Lukko Rauma enter 2020/21 after a smashing domestic season where they managed to not only win the regular season for the very first time in their Liiga history, but also win their first Finnish Championship in nearly 60 years!
The reigning Liiga champions have participated in three CHL seasons so far and made it as far as the Quarter-Finals in 2014/15. Their hopes of advancing to the later stages of the tournament this season rest on the shoulders of the young talent Lukko will be showcasing this year and Head Coach Marko Virtanen expects them to be ready for the challenge, saying, “I hope our young team will be able to present a fast-paced and skillful puck-controlled game.”
Ones to watch
Lassi Lehtinen – one of Lukko’s home-grown talents, the 22-year-old goaltender was voted best goalie in Finland last season. His calm, focused attitude and smooth moves make him the rock of Lukko’s team
Sebastian Repo – another young member of Lukko’s squad, the 25-year-old forward scored 33 points in Liiga last season. His physicality and net presence make him one to look out for!
First game
Lukko Rauma VS Lausanne HC, Kivikylän Areena, 26 August 18:00 CEST
The Cardiff Devils
The Welsh team enter the upcoming CHL season as the leading team of the EIHL before the season was cancelled, and they have welcomed a new coach and many new faces to the club in the last few months. Despite three previous years of CHL experience, they have yet to have played against any of their upcoming opponents in Group C.
When looking at their CHL record and stats they seem to be the weakest team in the group on paper – but don’t let that fool you.
The six-time EIHL champions have had their share of bad luck over the years. In 2017/18, they drew Finalsts Växjö Lakers and Semi-Finalists Bílí Tygři Liberec; a season later they found themselves drawn against Red Bull Salzburg who'd go on to make the Semi-Finals, Swiss powerhouse SC Bern, and the Lakers again and in 2018/19 they faced both Frölunda Gothenburg and Mountfield HK in the group stage – the two teams that would go on to contest the Final!
2018/19 was their best showing in the CHL to date – the Welsh side pulled off three wins out of their six Group Stage games, but still missed out on the Playoffs. Talk about a tough group.
Could 2020/21 be the year this team on the up finally makes it out of the Group Stage?
Ones to watch
Brendan Mikkelson – new acquisition for the Devils, NHL experienced 34-year-old defenceman, played two seasons in the CHL with Luleå HF.
Mac Carruth – new goaltender for the Devils, the 29-year-old American was brought in to strengthen things at the back.
First game
Cardiff Devils VS Adler Mannheim, Ice Arena Wales, 26 August 20:00 CEST
Lausanne HC
Lausanne entered the CHL with a bang back in 2019/20 when they made their debut in the competition. The surprise team of the season won four out of their six Group Stage matches to top their group and went on to go as far as the Quarter-Finals!
Domestically, they have had a string of success over the last few years, finishing fourth in the NL regular season last season (just three points of third) and going as far as the Quarter-Finals where they were sadly eliminated by the ZSC Lions Zurich.
Their first taste of CHL success saw them face off against, and beat, two experienced Czech sides – HC Pilsen and HC Oceláři Třinec. Will this season of CHL success give them the edge going into 2020/21?
Ones to watch
Tobias Stephan – an experienced goaltender who provided a much-needed strengthening between the posts when he joined Lausanne in 2019, has over 700 games of Swiss topflight hockey under his belt.
Lukas Frick – the 26-year-old defenceman is a prominent member of the Swiss National Team and won silver with them in 2018. Has recorded 38 assists over the last two seasons in the NL
First game
Lukko Rauma VS Lausanne HC, Kivikylän Areena, 26 August 18:00 CEST