After achieving a third-place finish to end the 2019/20 regular season, Rögle Bandyklubb from Ängelholm, Sweden are gearing up for their first appearance in the upcoming 2020/21 Champions Hockey League Season. According to Head Coach Cam Abbott, “this tournament is a huge event for our club and a great chance to showcase our team against the best in Europe.” Among the best are fellow Swedish squads Luleå Hockey, Färjestad Karlstad, Skellefteå AIK, and last year’s champions, the Frölunda Indians. This makes Rögle Ängelholm the fifth Swedish team to earn a place in the CHL.
Though their roots can be traced back as early as 1921, Rögle Ängelholm didn’t officially form as a bandy club until 1932. The team took home their first bandy title in a regional cup 16 years later in the spring of 1948, but their history has been checkered with successes and failures sice. Since the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) was formed in 1975 they have continued to teeter-totter between Sweden’s top leagues ever. After being relegated to Sweden’s second-highest league, HockeyAllsvenskan, in 2013, the club regained their position in the SHL in 2015 where they have remained since. This season they topped their previous best finish, sixth in 1994, with a third place finish.
"The CHL will prove a valuable experience for our coaches and players.”Head coach Cam Abbott
In 2017, Cam Abbott was hired on mid-season to take over head coaching duties. Born in Canada, the former Rögle winger split his brief playing career between the North American and European leagues. He spent the majority of his time in the Swedish Hockey League where he skated for six seasons – one with Rögle and five with Luleå, including playing with the latter during the inaugural 2014/15 CHL season where they lifted the European Trophy. Abbott understands what it takes to win and what it means to the fans: “It allows our great fans to share a new experience, supporting our team as we compete against new opponents.” To win, Rögle must compete at the top of their game as some of these opponents boast impressive resumes from their time in the CHL, especially fellow teams from Sweden.
Success has been synonymous with Swedish teams in the CHL; look no further than the Frölunda Indians, who boast four CHL titles in six appearances. Skellefteå have played in every season save for the 2017/18 campaign, while both Luleå and Färjestad have participated in four seasons each. Regardless of who Rögle plays, Abbot believes facing fresh competitors and their varied playing styles “will prove a valuable experience for our coaches and players.” He also sees it as “a fun challenge to start our journey as a group during a new season.” Maintaining this mindset could prove beneficial for Abbott and company as they set their sights on fall.
With puck drop just months away, we’re excited to see Rögle Ängelholm in action and hope they can continue Sweden’s trend of strong international play. New additions such as former Frölunda netminder, Johan Gustafsson, should help their cause. Gustafsson accumulated 3 CHL championships during his time with the Indians and sports the experience needed to compete at this level. Another name worth noting is Vancouver Canucks prospect and two-time winner of Goal of the Year, Nils Hoglander. At 19, this left wing from Bockträsk, Sweden is already stunning fans in the SHL and looks to be a pivotal part of Rögle’s future going forward. For Abbott, though, this new chapter in Rögle’s history isn’t just about highlighting the team’s top talent, it’s also about “showcasing Ängelholm and our club as a terrific place to live and play.”