Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of Tappara Tampere's six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the Finnish team - here's what they had to say!
Belfast Giants Head Coach Adam Keefe: “There’s no doubt that Tappara Tampere were deserved winners of the CHL last season, defeating Luleå Hockey in a thrilling final in Sweden. They’re an incredibly strong side with a roster full of talented players and we’re very much looking forward to heading to the Nokia Arena and giving it everything we’ve got.”
Adler Mannheim Head Coach Johan Lundskog: “Tappara will be coming into this season with a big target on their back, being not only the Finnish champions but also the reigning CHL Champions. It’s going to be really exciting for us to travel to Finland and take them on in their own arena. Probably one of the toughest games in our schedule, but a game we are really excited about.”
Skellefteå AIK Head Coach Robert Ohlsson: “The reigning CHL Champions! We know that they have a new coach in Rickard Grönborg and that will most definitely be a tough task, but we are looking forward to it, it will be great!”
Rapperswil-Jona Lakers Stefan Hedlund: “Tappara Tampere are the champions of Finland and Europe! One of the absolutely best teams in Europe with Rickard Grönborg as a their new Head Coach. We played Tappara last season in the CHL and lost at home, so we will be looking for payback.”
EHC Biel-Bienne Head Coach Petri Matikainen: “Reigning CHL Champions Tappara are a well-known brand on the European hockey scene. Apart from winning the title of European Club Champions last season, they also became the champions of Finland. They have been very successful over a long period of time. Tappara have changed up their coaching ahead of this season, as well as their roster, with many players from last season moving on to new challenges. I played for them between 1987 and 1989 as a defenceman and won the championship with the club in 1988. It was a great time back then. They have highly skilled players and play very solid hockey. It will be a big test for us to compete against them!”
Find out more about Tappara Tampere in the video below!