There have been some brilliant performances through the opening stage of this year’s Champions Hockey League, with players impressing across all teams. But only a select few can earn the right to be named on the team of the 2021/22 Group Stage. Here's our pick of the ultimate six player line-up:
Goaltender – Matija Pintarič – Rouen Dragons
Matija Pintarič of the Rouen Dragons had a brilliant Group Stage for his side, backstopping them all the way to the Playoffs as the French team finished second in Group G.
Playing in all six games, the Slovenian goalie helped his side to three wins and three losses, while making a total of 214 saves, the most of any goalie through the opening stage!
It’s the second CHL season for Pintarič - last time out he also helped Rouen through to the Round of 16, so he’ll be hoping to continue his impressive performances in the Playoffs.
Defence – Matt Caito – Leksands IF
Leksands IF have had a brilliant debut so far, and one of the standout performers on the blueline has been Matt Caito. The American defenceman impressed both with and without the puck, playing a very solid positional game on the defensive side, but also contributing a lot offensively with a total of six points, five of those coming from assists.
Caito consistently proved his value to the side and was always involved in key plays for the Swedish side who head into the Playoffs thanks to a second-place finish in Group F.
Defence – Zach Redmond – Red Bull Munich
As a former CHL Finalist team, Red Bull Munich have expectations on them to do well, and they more than met them in the Group Stage.
Zach Redmond proved himself as perhaps the premier offensive defenseman in the opening round of the competition, finishing with a tournament high nine assists through the opening six games for Munich.
It’s his first season of CHL hockey, but he’s made quite the impact already. The American defenseman was an instrumental part of a Munich side that didn’t struggle to find the net, with their 25 goals for being the second most in the Group Stage, and Redmond on the back end was a huge reason for that success at lighting the lamp.
Forward - Killian Mottet – Fribourg-Gottéron
In a similar fashion to Red Bull Munich, Fribourg-Gottéron had a lot of success in front of net, and a big reason was Swiss forward Killian Mottet.
With eight points to his name, the 30-year-old leads his team in points, with a team high of six assists. It’s not always about being the goalscorer, sometimes you need somebody to set you up, and Mottet has been the go-to guy for Fribourg, and he did all of that in just four games!
Fribourg topped their group and have also scored the second most goals so far, tied with Red Bull Munich, while allowing the fewest goals in the competition.
Forward – Brett Findlay – HC Bolzano
HC Bolzano progressed through to the Round of 16 out of their group, and a big factor in that achievement was the goalscoring ability of 29-year-old Brett Findlay.
His first CHL season for Bolzano saw him as more of a playmaker, but this year it’s been all about the goals, with five to his name, only one man has had more success in front of net than him through the Group Stage.
He shoots often, with a total of 18 shots on goal in the opening games, converting 27.78% of those efforts into actual goals, and it’s that success that his side will turn to him for again in the Round of 16 when they take on Lukko Rauma.
Forward – Frederik Tiffels – Red Bull Munich
Teams of the Group Stage aren’t always about who has the most points, but with one of the tournament's leading scorers, it’s impossible to deny Frederik Tiffels of Red Bull Munich a spot on this team.
Three players sit on 10-points through the opening stage of the tournament, and Tiffels has proven himself to be a real star for Munich this year with five goals and five assists, he’s a double threat, equally competent at finding the back of the net as well as helping his teammates.
It’s his first taste of the CHL and with Munich gearing up for what they hope will be another deep Playoff run, Tiffels will definitely be at the centre of a lot more action to come for the German side.