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. It's now time for Group H, which features Skellefteå AIK, Krefeld Pinguine, IFK Helsinki and Sønderjyske Vojens. While the Swedish and Finnish sides seem to be the consensus favourites, both the German and Danish clubs appear confident that they can cause at least one upset.
What do you think of the group you've been drawn into?
Lars Johansson (general manager, Skellefteå AIK): "It's going to be difficult, but it's exciting to meet some new teams. It will be fun for the fans. We're familiar with IFK and they're a good team, but the German and Danish teams we've never played before."
Rüdiger Noack (sport manager, Krefeld Pinguine): "Our group is a strong one, just like all the others. There are no easy groups in this CHL. I think we can expect good games and I’m glad that Krefeld can participate in this product the very first year."
Roland Carlsson (marketing manager, IFK Helsinki): "We have two top teams in our group and one which we don't know much about. Skelleftea is a really good team in Sweden and the same thing with Krefeld in Germany. As for Vojens from Denmark, we have to learn what kind of team they are."
Kell Haugaard (communications manager, Sønderjyske Vojens): "Our group will be a treat for all the hockey-loving supporters in Denmark. We look forward to showing hockey from the very top shelf of Europe."
Who in your group will be your toughest opponent?
Johansson (AIK): "We know IFK from Helsinki is strong. We've played them before and are familiar with them. Finnish clubs are always tough."
Noack (KRE): "It’s difficult to say who will be leader of our group. However, the Swedish and Finnish clubs are both fantastic and belong to the top European leagues. Skellefteå and IFK Helsinki are teams that can compete with any team in the world. Those will be very difficult games for us but I’m glad they will show us our position in international hockey."
Haugaard (VOJ): "Both the Swedish and Finnish leagues are very strong. It's likely that Skellefteå and IFK Helsinki will fight for group victory."
What does competing in the Champions Hockey League mean to your club?
Johansson (AIK): "It means a lot to our team and to our fans. We get a chance to play against some new opponents and our fans get to see something different. Some of them will probably also travel with us to Finland or Denmark or Germany. We're in the far north of Sweden and even trips in our league can be long, but they come with us."
Noack (KRE): "I remember some previous attempts to establish a regular European cup, but all of them failed before they really caught on. I believe this time we’ve created a project with a strong foundation. I hope the main benefit of the CHL for our club can be on our youth. I believe there will be some boys who will think: 'Hey, I want to play in Krefeld. They’re playing in the CHL.' We're already a well-established club, but there is still some ingredient missing to become a prestigious club. I believe the CHL could be this ingredient."
Carlsson (IFK): "It is a huge thing for our club to be part of this competition. We want to win it and advance among the best 16 teams. It's great that we can show our hockey to all of Europe.”
Haugaard (VOJ): "It is the largest event in the club's history. We have participated in several European tournaments, but never at such a high level as the CHL. It is simply a huge event for the sport of hockey in Denmark."
How far do you expect your team to advance in the competition?
Johansson (AIK): "We always want to win, so we're just going to try to win every game we play and see how far we go."
Noack (KRE): "Every game begins with the score 0-0 and we want to do our best in every game to get as many points as possible."
Carlsson (IFK): "We have to go from game to game and our goal is win the group and than move from game to game. We would like to become the first champion of the league, but that's a long way off."
Haugaard (VOJ): "We must remember to enjoy the experience from the first minute. We are up against some incredibly strong teams, but we always enter the rink to win and I am confident that we will deliver a surprise at SE Arena in Vojens."
Click here to compare basic information about these four clubs.