We've completed six full seasons since top-flight European ice hockey returned in 2014. Over those Champions Hockey League campaigns some players have stood out on more than one occasion, and over the next few weeks we’re going to be taking a look at those that are on top of Europe.
We continue with the Top 10 Penalty Kills!
Leading the way are Augsburger Panther, who played eight games through the Group Stage and Round of 16 during their CHL debut in 2019/20. They killed a Europe-leading 93.10% of penalties in their first season, and head our list by some distance!
HC Ambrì-Piotta also made their CHL debuts this past season and place next on the list- the Swiss side killed off exactly 90% of penalties they took. Third come Neman Grodno: the team from Belarus have played 16 CHL games across three seasons and have an impressive penalty killing record of 89.47%.
Completing the top five are two SHL sides: Djurgården Stockholm and HV71 Jönköping. The team from the Swedish capital managed to fend off 88.16% of their penalties in 38 games, while the latter’s record stands at 87.85% over 28.
Just 0.01% behind HV71 are Finns SaiPa Lappeenranta. Not seen in the CHL since 2016/17 and with only 18 games in two participations, SaiPa place sixth in the all-time list, while 2017 Finalists Sparta Prague come next with a record of 87.27% in 29 games.
The top ten is rounded off by three teams that have all been at least as far as the Semi-Finals over the past six seasons. Fribourg-Gottéron got there in 2016/17 and have killed 86.92% of penalties in 24 games, while Kärpät Oulu contested the final a season before – they have a record of 86.09% penalties seen off in 47 games. Lukko Rauma finish the list on 85.05%.
Honourable mentions
Frölunda Gothenburg have played the most games in the CHL – their record stands at 83.14% from 73 played. Of teams that have played at least 20 games in the CHL, Yunost Minsk have the lowest PK% at 71.23%. 52 of the 87 teams that have played in the CHL since 2014 have a record of over 80%