Eisbären Berlin

The Berlin-based club are currently the ones to beat in the DEL having won back-to-back league titles in 2020/21 and 2021/22 to cement them their rightful place as the sole DEL record champions, ahead of rivals Adler Mannheim.

Berlin have participated in five past CHL seasons, but especially in recent years they’ve been drawn into tough groups and had trouble making it past the Group Stage. In 2015/16 and 2016/17 they fought their way to the Playoffs but exited in the Round of 16 on both occasions. Their last two CHL appearances, 2018/19 and 2021/22, saw the club finish just outside the top 16.

Despite not having advanced as far as some of their 2022/23 opponents, they’ve had some magical moments in the league over the years – like two memorable wins against Swiss giants EV Zug back in 2016/17.

Ones to watch

Marcel Noebels – The 30-year-old German international has been with Berlin since 2014 and has consistently been one of their best players. Last season he scored a career-high 66 points in 62 games.

Leo Pföderl: Pföderl has been with the Eisbären since 2019/20 and has now won two titles with the club from the German capital. The 28-year-old scored 52 points in 51 games last season.

First Game

Grenoble vs Eisbären Berlin, Patinoire Polesud, 1 September, 20:15 CEST

Mountfield HK

Mountfield HK have slowly but steadily risen to become a title-contending team in the Czech Extraliga and the CHL. The club made it all the way to the 2020 CHL Final, fending off experienced teams such as EV Zug and Adler Mannheim on their spectacular run. But Frölunda, who they meet again in this season’s Group Stage, beat them to the European Trophy that time, leaving the Czechs in heartbreak.

Though they didn’t lift the Trophy that year, they have the winning mentality to do so in the future. The Czech Extraliga regular season winners were poised for a solid attempt to win their very first Czech championship title last season, but they exited the playoffs in the quarter-finals.

Mountfield have been very active during the off-season, strengthening their squad in all positions, including signing forwards Oliver Okuliar from SaiPa and Marek Zachar from Bílí Tygři Liberec.

Ones to watch

Jakub Lev – Lev holds an astonishing record in the Czech Extraliga. The 31-year-old has played over 600 games in a row without missing a single one!

Radek Smoleňák – Mountfield captain Smoleňák has plenty of NHL and international experience to his name. He has been an integral part of the club since joining in 2018 and is now also the best goal scorer in the club’s history.

First Game

Frölunda Gothenburg vs Mountfield HK, Frölundaborg, 1 September, 19:05 CEST

Frölunda Gothenburg

Frölunda are a team that need no introduction. The four-time CHL Champions are one of the biggest names in the pan-European competition and have qualified for each and every season since 2014/15.

The SHL side have won five domestic titles, most recently in 2019, but since then they’ve had trouble coming close to a repeat – in 2019/20 and 2020/21 they finished seventh in the SHL regular season which is not where a team of Frölunda’s calibre want to operate.

However, last season they regained their grip and have gotten back on track, ending the 2021/22 regular season in fourth place and making it to the playoff semi-finals.

In the CHL last season, the Gothenburg-based club also made it to the Playoff Semi-Finals, where they were beaten by eventual Champions Rögle Ängelholm.

As the most successful team in the competition, they’ll be looking to add to their impressive CHL pedigree and continue to be a feared side as they chase their fifth title.

Ones to watch

Joel Lundqvist – Team captain and one of the most prominent players in the club’s history. The ex-NHLer is one of the most famous Swedish players and someone the locker room looks to when the going gets tough. Despite turning 40 earlier this year, he is not to be underestimated!

Ryan Lasch – Another player that needs no introduction. The 35-year-old winger has tremendous offensive instincts and vision and is especially dangerous on the powerplay. The CHL’s all-time leading points (109), goals (33) and assists (76) scorer also led his team in the SHL last season, scoring an astonishing 74 points in 61 games!

First Game

Frölunda Gothenburg vs Mountfield HK, Frölundaborg, 1 September, 19:05 CEST

Grenoble

After a few seasons out, Grenoble finally return to Europe’s premier club ice hockey competition. The reigning Ligue Magnus champions have played in two prior CHL seasons, picking up two wins along the way.

Well-travelled Czech goaltender Jakub Štěpánek proved immensely important in Grenoble’s championship season, posting a 92.7 save percentage and a 1.81 goals against average in 41 games. A safe pair of hands to rely on in net could boost the French side’s chances of a successful CHL season this year.

The eight-time French champions have made numerous signings over the course of the off-season, including signing Chad Nehring from the Augsburger Panther. Nehring has over 170 AHL games and 150 DEL games to his name and could be a major attacking threat in 2022/23.

Ones to watch

Jakub Štěpánek – The Czech goalie has travelled the globe with his trade, playing in places like Finland, Russia and Switzerland to name a few. He posted a 92.7 save percentage and a 1.81 goals against average in 41 games played last season.

Chad Nehring – Nehring has over 170 AHL games and 150 DEL games to his name and could be a major attacking threat in 2022/23. Keep one eye on the skilled Canadian centre!

First Game

Grenoble vs Eisbären Berlin, Patinoire Polesud, 1 September, 20:15 CEST

Tune in later 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 latest news and reactions ahead of the 2022/23 season!