The Champions Hockey League held its second press conference in Berlin earlier today, with participating DEL teams and club representatives present.
Germany will be represented by four teams in 2022/23 - Eisbären Berlin, Red Bull Munich, Grizzlys Wolfsburg and the Straubing Tigers.
Monika Reinhard, CHL Communication & Digital Media Director, opened the stage before inviting CHL CEO Martin Baumann to present relevant information to the clubs.
Baumann gave detailed information about prize money, official broadcasting partners, information about the CHL's revised disciplinary system and more. He also welcomed the Straubing Tigers into the CHL family and went on to discuss the Group Stage Draw and present the CHL format leading up to the big Final on 18 February 2023.
He mentioned the importance of programs such as the CHL Marketing Award and the new season of the CHL Fan Challenge in attracting new fans and new types of engagement.
After a short promo video, Baumann also presented the CHL's official TikTok channel and Advanced Game Statistics that are available for all CHL games.
Next spoke Gernot Tripcke, CHL Board Member and GM of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Tripcke was excited by Straubing's qualification, compared the last season to the upcoming 2022/23 season in terms of DEL teams and mentioned other exciting projects going on.
Following a short interview with Tripcke, the press conference headed to individual interviews with players and coaches.
Red Bull Munich Head Coach Don Jackson said: "The Champions Hockey League is such an elite competition, the further you go, the more you believe you have a chance to win. Having been in the Final and Semi-Finals before, we know what it feels like, but we are going to have to go out there and win every shift, every game."
He then went on to discuss his side's Group Stage opponents: "Rapperswil are a team on the rise and have been performing great, they have a young and energetic team following an experienced leader like Roman Červenka," he started, "Slovan Bratislava are an experienced team with a lot of tough players, we can expect anything."
What does he think about his side?
"We have guys that can score, we feel strong in net and we will go from there," ended Jackson.
Eisbären Berlin's Morgan Ellis also spoke, mentioning that "each league plays a different style, but we are going to come ready and focus on our game."
His team will start with a road trip to Grenoble and Gothenburg, what does he expect from the two games?
"Both are great teams. Grenoble have a lot of experience with guys I've played against throughout my career and Frölunda have always been a top team."
Last to speak was Serge Aubin, who highlighted that his club's recent success is really down "to the players and all the staff, ownership - just having the support needed."
Berlin have yet to make it past the Round of 16 in the CHL, what are their goals for 2022/23?
"I want to make sure our compete level is where we want it to be. We intend to compete and we will be ready," he ended.