EV Zug

EV Zug have never missed a CHL season, and within the NL they’ve finished inside the top four every year since 2015. That performance consistency culminated into success last season when they became 2020/21 NL Champions. It was also their first national title since 1998. With a title in tow, and wealth of experience in the CHL, the Swiss side can look forward to the excitement of playing new teams in the Group Stage, as well as revisiting some familiar foes.

Zug will commence their 2021/22 CHL season with games versus two teams they have never faced-off against, but for Head Coach Dan Tangnes, there is a score to settle with their German rivals Red Bull Munich, who ended Zug’s hopes of making it further than the Round of 16 in 2018/19. Tangnes and EV Zug fans can look forward to the two heavyweights locking horns when they line up against each other in October.   

Ones to watch

Jan Kovář – The Czech scoring machine was Zug’s main offensive weapon during their 2020/21 campaign. This season the club announced that the decorated 31-year-old will proudly wear the “C” on his jersey. 

Christian Djoos – After several seasons in top North American leagues including the AHL and NHL, the Gothenburg-born defender has joined EV Zug. Djoos was a crucial signing, given the departures of Raphael Diaz and Santeri Alatalo. The 82kg Swede was acquired by the Washington Capitals following an exceptional 2016/17 season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. With 206 AHL games under the belt and a further 180 NHL appearances, his experience will be a valuable asset to the reigning Swiss champions

First game

Rögle Ängelholm VS EV Zug, Halmstad Arena, 26 August, 18:05 CEST

Rögle Ängelholm

When Swedish side Rögle Ängelholm placed third in the 2019/20 SHL season, they also gained their first-ever ticket to the CHL, but it wasn’t all good news. The pandemic threw a major spanner in the works, abruptly ending what should have been their historic debut. One season later, the team enjoyed another prolific run in the Swedish top league, bettering their prior season’s placing and finishing as runners-up to SHL champions the Växjö Lakers. 

While Rögle come into the Champions Hockey League as newcomers, the team’s current Head Coach Cam Abbot and General Manager Chris Abbot are anything but. The twins are former CHL Champions (2014/15) from their time with Swedish club Luleå Hockey.

Head Coach Abbot is treating the debut as “valuable experience”, but he also conceded that they are “in it to win it”. Surely, music to the ears for all Rögle Ängelholm fans who have had to wait very patiently for this historic moment.                              

As a team who knocked out four-time CHL Champions Frölunda Gothenburg in the domestic league quarter-finals, they should be considered the dark horse of Group D.

Ones to watch

Robert Lántoši – Hailing from the AHL’s Providence Bruins the 25-year-old Slovakian player brings speed and an offensive punch. Lántoši collected a bronze medal with the Slovakian U20 world juniors and has played a substantial portion of his juniors in Sweden. This will be his first season with Rögle.

First game

Rögle Ängelholm VS EV Zug, Halmstad Arena, 26 August, 18:05 CEST

SønderjyskE Vojens

Off the back of a bitter finals loss to Rungsted Seier Capital during the 2018/19 Metal Ligaen season, SønderjyskE Vojens bounced back in 2019/20 to become the first-ever Danish team to win the IIHF Continental Cup.

Prior to that SønderjyskE made two CHL appearances, once in 2014/15 where they were able to secure just one win (4:3 vs Krefeld Pinguine), and again in 2015/16 when they stumped Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg 4:1 in the opening game of the Group Stage. While they have competed well at times against their German and Austrian opponents, Swedish and Finish teams in particular have been a challenge for the Danes, they are yet to secure a win, although they came close in 2014/15 when they took IFK Helsinki to a shootout.

Head Coach Mario Simoni is both proud and honoured to take part in the Champions Hockey League and has said his team is “ready for the fight”. 

Ones to watch

Anton Öhman – The 25-year-old Swede has a wealth of experience including three CHL seasons with Skellefteå and one at the Malmö Redhawks. This will be his first season playing for SønderjyskE Vojens.

First game

SonderjyskE Vojens VS Red Bull Munich, Frøs Arena, 26 August, 20:15 CEST

Red Bull Munich

Red Bull Munich have participated in five CHL seasons to date, and proved themselves as one of Europe's premier hockey teams. They came excruciatingly close to victory during their 2018/19 push but were ousted 3-1 by Frölunda Gothenburg in the CHL Final.

Within their domestic league the German side won three DEL championships in a row between 2015 and 2018, and during the 2019/20 season led the table, but unfortunately, the cancellation of the playoffs cut short what was poised to be a promising season. Their 2020/21 presence has not been as dominant, as Munich bowed out of the DEL playoff quarter-finals, but remain a title-contending team year after year.

As Red Bull suit up for their sixth season of top-level European hockey, Head Coach Don Jackson has already scanned the competition in eager anticipation and has made clear his teams' approach to the upcoming CHL season. We can expect to see “an aggressive brand of hockey” typical of this team, said the Coach. 

Red Bull Munich are the only team within Group D to have made it to a CHL Final, but can they do it again? 

Ones to watch

Ben Street – Former Captain of the AHL’s Birmingham Devils and Calder Cup Champion joined Red Bull Munich this season. Street has been described as a smart two-way hockey player who combines both scoring and play making ability. His resume includes an impressive 439 points in 523 AHL games.

First game

SønderjyskE Vojens VS Red Bull Munich, Frøs Arena, 26 August, 20:15 CEST

Tune in later this week for more Group Previews and be sure to follow the Champions Hockey League’s social media channels to stay up to date on all the news and reactions ahead of the 2021/22 season!