Legendary Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech helped draw up the match-ups for the 2024/25 Regular Season yesterday. Following the Draw, we caught up with the goalie for a short interview.
Since ending his professional career as a footballer, Čech has dipped his toe into the world of ice hockey where he's taken up - rather unsurprisingly - a role in net. He's played in the UK's EIHL and even played for the Belfast Giants last season. As a fan and player of European hockey, how does he view the CHL and its progress over the years?
"The competition's growing, now with the 10th anniversary you can see that everybody wants to compete and it's a big part of the hockey calendar," said Čech, "the CHL plays a big role in developing ice hockey."
"It's a great achievement to win the CHL and everybody involved wants to win."Petr Čech
An icon in his own sport, what does he think is important to pass on to young players regardless of if it's football or ice hockey? "Cherish the moments you get," was the key takeaway from the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner's answer.
Having played in an untraditional hockey market, how has he viewed the CHL's focus on bringing the game to the whole of Europe? "It's really important to bring the game to everybody, involve everyone, and the CHL has done exactly that in inspiring people," he thinks.