The man to lead the club to the title was head coach Dan Tangnes, who said that EV Zug was once again proud to represent Switzerland in the CHL.

“We are very proud to be a part of the Champions Hockey League. Qualifying for the CHL means you did something right in the past season. It’s always fun to play against the best teams in Europe,” Tangnes said.

What separates Zug from the competition according to Tangnes? Well, it’s the team’s passion and desire to compete, he said.

“We try to play an intense, puck-possession style and would like to believe we play hockey which is attractive to watch. EV Zug is all about passion for hockey. We also take a lot of pride in our youth development program, the Hockey Academy. Several players who have graduated the academy have become, or are on their way to becoming, key players in our first team,” the EV Zug head coach said.

For Tangnes, EV Zug’s aim is to win every single game they play in, although he added that the Swiss champions would remain humble and respect the talents of their opponents.

Zug already have experience against Danish opponents, having faced Rungsted Seier Capital in the 2019/20 Group Stage, but Tangnes noted the skill that Red Bull Munich, who eliminated the Swiss side in the Round of 16 in 2018/19, and Rögle will bring to the table.

“Red Bull Munich is always a top team in Germany and they knocked us out of the Playoffs three years ago. They are a very good team and we have a score to settle with them.

“Rögle Ängelholm will be a very special team for us to play. I almost grew up there (playing and coaching) and it will also be a special game for Niklas Hansson (who will be joining Zug from Rögle). They are a very good team, they played in the SHL finals this year. They have a strong fan-base in Sweden and will be a tough opponent for us. I would even say they will be a challenger to go all the way in the CHL this year,” Tangnes concluded.

Rögle Ängelholm were set to make their CHL debut in the 2020/21 season, but the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to those plans.

However, another fantastic season in the SHL for the southern Swedish club saw Rögle qualify for the Champions Hockey League once again, and Cam Abbott, who won the CHL with Luleå Hockey in 2014/15 and now serves as Rögle’s head coach said that the club was excited to finally hit the ice in the CHL.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to play in the CHL this season. This tournament is a huge event for our club and a great chance to showcase our team against the best in Europe. As well, it allows our great fans to share a new experience, supporting our team as we compete against new opponents,” Abbott said.

Playing in the Champions Hockey League will be a “valuable experience” for Rögle, their head coach said, especially given the strength of Group D.

“It’s a challenging group for sure, with three good opponents. But we are in it to win it and is really looking forward to this tournament,” Abbott said, adding that the team will head into the CHL “with the goal of winning.”

Perennial German and European contenders Red Bull Munich will have a point to prove next season, and legendary head coach Don Jackson told the Champions Hockey League that his club will, as always, leave everything on the ice.

"Participating in the Champions League again confirms that we are one of Germany’s top teams. In the CHL, our players have the opportunity to compete at a high level against other top teams in Europe. The CHL is an elite league and the clubs take the games very seriously. Everybody wants to show their best hockey to their fans,” Jackson said.

The Red Bull Munich head coach promised that his team would continue to play the aggressive brand of hockey they’ve been known for, adding that their opponents can expect to face a relentless forecheck.

Jackson also said that he relished the challenge of squaring up with some of the best coaches in Europe.

“With Zug we have the new Swiss champion in our group. Their coach Dan Tangnes has gained a lot of experience in Sweden and is now very successful with Zug. Rögle, the team of the brothers Cam and Chris Abbott, has established itself at the top of the Swedish SHL in the last two seasons and most recently even reached the playoff final. Mario Simioni has performed strongly in the Danish league for many years with his team SønderjyskE."

“We are looking forward to the Group Stage and playing these teams,” Jackson remarked.

This sentiment was shared by Patrick Hager, one of Red Bull Munich’s star forwards, who said that there will be no easy games in Group D.

"With Zug and Rögle we have two real powerhouses in our group. Then there's the Continental Cup winner from Denmark in 2020, who we can't underestimate under any circumstances. All in all, it's a very exciting group. Zug and Rögle definitely want to have their say when it comes to the Champions Hockey League title. Accordingly, we will have very difficult and interesting games ahead of us. Hopefully in front of our fans again” Hager said.

SønderjyskE Vojens have won one game in each of their two preceding CHL seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16), and head coach Mario Simioni said that competing in Europe’s top ice hockey competition gives the team’s fans the opportunity to see some of the best clubs in Europe.

“Taking part in the Champions Hockey League is an honour for both the club and myself. This is the third time for SønderjyskE, and it will be the second time for myself (first time with HC Bolzano). We give our fans, who are the best supporters in Denmark by the way, the opportunity to once again see some of Europe's top teams. And we are proud to say that we are in this position because SønderjyskE are Denmark's first-ever team to win the IIHF Continental Cup,” Simioni said.

The Danish club are known for their disciplined and uptempo brand of hockey, and will do their utmost to not give their opponents any time on the puck, Simioni said.

That will be a tough task given the strength of SønderjyskE’s group, but Simioni said that his team was ready for the fight.

“We are definitely on the lowest budget in our group, but we will do our very best to make our opponents have to play their best hockey to try to beat us. Of course, we may have to play a much more defensively responsible game against our well-respected opponents. As they say; where there is will, there is a way!” Simioni said.

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