We've asked representatives from the clubs a few questions relating to their club competing in the CHL in 2014/15. We've arranged the answers into 11 articles, one for each group. Group D seems to be a really even group. Of the four representatives of PSG Zlín, Fribourg-Gottéron, Eisbären Berlin and Djurgården Stockholm, none would name a group favourite and all think they have a good chance to advance to the next stage.
Staff Writers
What do you think of the group you've been drawn into, and who do you think the strongest team is?
Patrik Kamas (CEO, PSG Zlín): "We have a group with quality teams and each team can be our competitor. Everyone has a chance to go to the playoffs."
Raphael Berger (general director, Fribourg-Gottéron):" We’re satisfied with the draw. Last season we played some Czech teams in the European Trophy and now it will be their champion from Zlín. That will be a strong opponent for sure. Then there's Djurgården Stockholm, who we also know from past years. Eisbären Berlin didn’t have a good season last year but in general they are one of the top clubs in Europe. They've won their league three times in the last four years. Therefore, it’s difficult to say who should be the favourite. In the last few European Trophies, the Scandinavian teams were mostly winning their groups, but we’ll see about that."
Peter Lee (CEO, Eisbären Berlin): "I’m pretty excited. We’re playing with the Czech champion, a good Swiss team that's played well over the last two years and Djurgården is a bit of a darkhorse, a little like the Eisbären. I think it’s going to be exciting. It’s a good mix, good challenge and I expect lots of fun."
Jenny Silfverstrand (CEO, Djurgården Stockholm): "We're really glad to be in the group with Berlin because we went there last year and we had lots of fans come with us, so we hope that happens again. I don't know much about the other teams, though."
What does competing in the Champions Hockey League mean to your club?
Kamas (ZLI): "To be honest, the CHL is an expensive league for Zlín. There's a lot of travelling, but it's something new and exciting. We don't know exactly what to expect. We want to be surprised by what the CHL can give us."
Berger (FRI): "This new European contest will open our eyes. We normally play only Swiss teams, but we think we’re good at what we do. Now we can step out from the shadow of our domestic league and find out how the teams from the other leagues work. We expect lots of useful experience for the players and also for us managers. Every international game is also simply more interesting for the fans."
Lee (BER): " You have to look at the big picture. I think if we’re going to be successful and take hockey to the next level, we have to become popular. It’s not about finances nor about what Eisbären can take from it. I think if we can make hockey popular, bring all teams from all over Europe together, we will make hockey as a game more popular, and the rest will take care of itself."
Silfverstrand (DIF): "I think it gives energy to the team and to hockey in Europe. All organisations need to develop, and the CHL is a great way to help European hockey do so. That's why we like this idea."
How far do you expect your team to advance in the competition?
Kamas (ZLI): "We want to play good hockey, which will prepare us for the upcoming Extraliga season, and hopefully that also takes us far in the CHL."
Berger (FRI): "We would like to gain some experience and possibly advance to the next phase of the competition."
Lee (BER): "Eisbaren will take first place (laughing) . . . Of course everyone wants that. You want to win every game. I can’t promise anything, but we want to try to win our division and to move on. That’s our challenge, the same as the other three teams, I’m sure."
Silfverstrand (DIF): "We did really well last year, we won our group, and we'll try to do that again this year."
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