CHL Team Previews: From Pinguins Bremerhaven to ZSC Lions Zurich

Your Guide to The Last Six Contenders in the Champions Hockey League

Pinguins Bremerhaven: German Contenders on the Rise

Pinguins Bremerhaven, founded in 2002, have quickly established themselves as a formidable force in German hockey. Playing out of the Eisarena Bremerhaven under head coach Alexander Sulzer, the team finished 3rd last season with a record of 26 wins, 14 losses, 4 overtime wins, and 8 overtime losses across 52 games, bowing out in the quarterfinals. Their offensive firepower is led by Jan Urbas (23 goals, 45 points in 51 games) and Ziga Jeglic (32 assists in 48 games), while Christian Wesje brings grit with 72 penalty minutes in 48 games. Goaltending is a strength, anchored by Kristers Gudlevskis (.930 SV%, 28 games) and Maximillian Franzreb (.923 SV%, 24 games).

Red Bull Salzburg: Austrian Powerhouse Defends the Crown

Red Bull Salzburg, founded in 2000 and based at Eisarena Salzburg, come into the CHL as reigning champions. Head coach Manny Viveiros guided the team to a 2nd-place regular season finish with 27 wins, 11 losses, 4 overtime wins, and 6 overtime losses over 48 games before capturing the playoff title. Benjamin Nissner was an offensive catalyst (21 goals, 45 points in 46 games), Ryan Murphy led in playmaking (35 assists in 42 games), and Dennis Robertson was the most penalized (53 PIM in 44 games). Between the pipes, Atte Tolvanen (.917 SV%, 33 games) and David Kickert (.881 SV%, 16 games) shared the workload.

SC Bern: Tradition and Talent in Swiss Hockey

SC Bern, a Swiss hockey institution since 1931, play in the iconic PostFinance Arena. Under new head coach Jussi Tapola, Bern finished 3rd last season (24 wins, 3 OT wins, 12 losses, 13 OT losses in 52 games) and reached the quarterfinals. Waltteri Merelä powered the offense with 21 goals in 52 games, Austin Czarnik dished out 36 assists and led with 56 points in 49 games, while Mark Marchon racked up 52 penalty minutes in 52 games. Goaltenders Adam Reideborn (.909 SV%, 32 games), Philip Wüthrich (.905 SV%, 30 games), and Andri Henauer (.667 SV%, 1 game) held down the crease.

Sparta Prague: Czech Giants Aim for European Glory

Sparta Prague, the oldest of the group, was founded in 1903 and skates in Prague’s O2 Arena. Last season, head coach Pavel Gross led them to a 1st-place finish (29 wins, 7 OT wins, 13 losses, 3 OT losses in 52 games) before a semifinal playoff exit. Aaron Irving was their top goal scorer (21 goals in 52 games), and Filip Chlapik shone with 38 assists and 48 points in 49 games. Ondrej Miklis led in penalty minutes with 59 in 46 games. Goaltending duties were split among Martin Michajlov (.936 SV%, 2 games), Josef Korenar (.925 SV%, 34 games), Jakub Kovar (.908 SV%, 16 games), and Tomas Volevecky (.865 SV%, 2 games).

Storhamar Hamar: Norway’s Champions Set the Pace

Storhamar Hamar, founded in 1957 and based at the CC Amfi, stormed to a championship last season under head coach Petter Thoresen. The Norwegian side went 34-2 in regulation, with 6 overtime wins and just 3 overtime losses in 45 games. Cole Schneider was unstoppable with 33 goals, 31 assists, and 64 points in as many games, while Adrian Saxrud-Danielsen provided toughness with 54 penalty minutes. Their goaltending was exceptional, featuring Henrik Fayen-Vestavik (.966 SV%, 3 games), Trym Gran (.938 SV%, 18 games), and Markus Rohnebæk Stensrud (.925 SV%, 21 games).

ZSC Lions Zurich: Swiss Lions Roar Into the CHL

Founded in 1930, ZSC Lions Zurich are one of Switzerland’s proudest clubs, playing out of the Swiss Life Arena. Marco Bayer steers the ship, and last season the Lions finished 2nd in the regular season (22 wins, 11 OT wins, 14 losses, 5 OT losses in 52 games), then dominated the playoffs as champions. Derek Grant led the team in goals (21 in 47 games), Jesper Frödén topped both assists (25 in 45 games) and points (41 in 45 games), and Chris Baltisberger brought physical play (40 PIM in 50 games). In goal, Robin Zumbühl (.939 SV%, 15 games), Simon Hrubec (.921 SV%, 36 games), and Lorin Grüter (.909 SV%, 1 game) provided a steady backbone. Oh, not to mention the won this thing last season….

What to Expect

Each of these teams brings its own style and strengths. Will Bremerhaven’s defensive discipline outlast the firepower of Sparta Prague? Can Red Bull Salzburg defend their title, or will ZSC Lions Zurich and Storhamar Hamar’s championship momentum carry over? The goaltending talent across the board is exceptional, and nearly every team boasts a dynamic forward capable of changing a game single-handedly. Stay tuned as the CHL heats up—these clubs are set for a thrilling run at European supremacy!