Frölunda Gothenburg

Frölunda have competed in every edition of the CHL, making all but one Fiinal appearance which was back in the 2017/18 season. They enter this year as the reigning champions of the CHL, but come in following a disappointing domestic season that saw them finish seventh in the league and knocked out of the playoffs in the quarter-finals by Rögle Ängleholm who will make their CHL debut this year.

However, Frölunda have the CHL’s top scorer of all-time back in their lineup after Ryan Lasch split time last year in Finland and Switzerland, while they also have a team with a “mix of experienced and young players” according to Head Coach Roger Rönnberg.

As the most successful team in the competition, they’ll be looking to continue to be a side to be feared this year as they chase their fifth title.

Ones to watch

Max Friberg – Coming off his career best season in the SHL as Frölunda’s leading scorer last season, Friberg is a two time CHL champion with the side and as he enters his prime, he will certainly be a key component if they’re to have success again this year.

Christian Folin – With over 250 NHL games to his name, Folin returned to Sweden last year with the Växjö Lakers and has joined Frölunda for 2021/22. His big size will be a big help in defence.

First Game

BK Mladá Boloslav VS Frölunda Gothenburg, Škoenegro Aréna, 26th August, 17:00 CEST

IFK Helsinki

Helsinki’s best effort in the CHL was a Quarter-Finals appearance way back in the 2014/15 season, where Frölunda knocked them out. Since then, they’ve had a mix run of results in the competition, but return this year after a two-season absence determined to finally make a name for themselves in the competition

This past season they finished second in the league in Finland and managed a third place finish in the playoffs. They have a group of players combining a mixture of youth and experience and they'll be hoping that's a winning combination to start their return to the CHL with a bang and qualify for the knockout phases.

Helsinki have big hopes for this season. After the Group Stage Draw, General Manager Tobias Salmelainen didn't give much away about how his team prepare for this season but did say "we want to win the title."

Ones to watch

Alex Broadhurst – The US forward was an impressive playmaker for Helsinki in his first campaign in Finland, they'll be hoping he can replicate that team leading form again this year.

Michael Garteig – Two years ago he was one of the best goalies in Finland, and after a year in Germany, he’s back and looking to backstop Helsinki to domestic and CHL success.

First Game

ZSC Zurich Lions VS IFK Helsinki, Hallenstadion, 26th August, 19:45 CEST

BK Mladá Boleslav 

It's been a long time sinve BK Mladá Boleslav have been in the CHL. They last featured in the 2016/17 season, and they'll be hoping for a better showing this time around after they failed to make it out of the Group Stage back then.

In a tough group, they'll be looking to some of their more experienced players to help them out but have a youthful side with a lot of energy that they hope will see them play fast paced, entertaining hockey. 

Coming off the back of a strong domestic campaign, they'll have the confidence to compete at this level, and after a near relegation miss a few years ago, they're excited for the opportunity to show this is a club on the rise.

Ones to watch

David Šťastný - The 28-year-old forward took a huge leap last season, more than doubling his previous highest point total for Boleslav, 

Jan Růžička - At 24-years-old, Růžička is still developing as a goaltender, but last season his 91.30% save percentage was impressive, and increased to 94.10% in the playoffs, so he'll be a a key player to stop some high power offences in Group B.

First Game

BK Mladá Boloslav VS Frölunda Gothenburg, Škoenegro Aréna, 26th August, 17:00 CEST

ZSC Lions Zurich 

The ZSC Lions Zurich are back for their sixth CHL campaign, something that the side always aim for, with Head Coach Rikard Grönborg stating "It’s always one of ZSC Lions Zurich’s goals to qualify for the CHL. We strive to be one of the best teams not only in Switzerland but in Europe."

In a tough Group B, they'll have every opportunity to prove themselves as one of the best in Europe. They've already faced Frölunda in the competition, and they know how to beat them as well. In the 2018/19 campaign, Zurich defeated Frölunda 3-2 in the Group Stage, with the win coming by way of a shootout.

This will be the third time Zurich face Frölunda in the Group Stage, and both times previously they qualified out of the group, which is exactly what they're hoping to do again this year.

Ones to Watch 

Yannick Weber - After 13 years in the NHL, Weber returns back home to Switzerland and brings a wealth of experience with him to be a leader for Zurich this year.

Sven Andrighetto - Another former NHLer, Andrighetto made an immediate impact upon returning to Switzerland last year, leading Zurich in scoring, and he'll be relied on heavily by the team as they try to navigate through a tricky Group Stage.

First Game

ZSC Zurich Lions VS IFK Helsinki, Hallenstadion, 26th August, 19:45 CEST

Tune in later this week for more Group Previews and be sure to follow the Champions Hockey League’s social media channels to stay up to date on all the news and reactions ahead of the 2021/22 season!