Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of the Växjö Lakers' six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the Swedish team - here's what they had to say!
EHC Biel-Bienne Head Coach Petri Matikainen: “The story of this club is like no other in European hockey. Founded in 1997, they started in the Swedish fourth division – the 6th tier of professional hockey in Sweden. Year by year they made their way up to the SHL by 2011. Since then, they’ve spent 12 seasons in the SHL and have won 4 titles. They have become a powerhouse in Swedish hockey. Their line-up is full of very good players, and they are coached by Jörgen Jönsson, who was the assistant coach in Davos in 2021/22. It will be a real challenge for us to go to their arena and try and get a good result.”
Rapperswil-Jona Lakers Stefan Hedlund: “The Växjö Lakers are the Swedish champions and a very good team. Vaxjö’s style of play is a mix between trapping and forechecking and they have a good goalie in Emil Larmi, who had a phenomenal run in the playoffs last season.”
Lahti Pelicans Head Coach Tommi Niemelä: “The reigning Swedish champions have an excellent team with good players that play a fast and versatile game.”
Stavanger Oilers Head Coach Anders Gjøse: “Last season’s SHL champions. They have had a balanced, solid team for many seasons now. Good mix of pressure and balance - an experienced team that play with possession.”
ERC Ingolstadt Head Coach Mark French: “It will be a great opportunity to welcome the Swedish champions to Ingolstadt. They have been very successful in the past ten years, and this will be a unique challenge for us.”
Find out more about the Växjö Lakers in the video below!