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. We conclude the series with Group K, which includes the Hamburg Freezers, Lukko Rauma, Luleå Hockey and the Nottingham Panthers. The first three clubs all especially expressed curiosity about the unknown British team.
What do you think of the group you've been drawn into?
Stéphane Richer (general manager, Hamburg Freezers): "We’re very happy. With Lulea and Lukko we have two top teams from Sweden and Finland. We already had Lulea in our group last year, when we played in the European Trophy. They are a very good team. Our fans also wanted to play with Nottingham. So I’m happy we got their wish and I hope it will bring a few more fans."
Timo Rajala (general manager, Lukko Rauma): "We are satisfied with everything, but we have to complete some pretty long trips to some remote countries."
Thor Stöckel (general manager, Luleå Hockey): "I think all the teams and all the countries are exciting to play against. Especially Nottingam is very exciting, its a new hockey country for us and new experience."
Andy French (Nottingham Panthers): "The Nottingham Panthers are very happy with the draw. The games in Finland and Sweden will be very long trips, but hopefully, we will be able to get the two games just a couple days away from each other. I think the game with Hamburg will be really good, especially for the fans."
Who in your group will be your toughest opponent?
Richer (HAM): "I really don’t know much about Nottingham. But I know Lulea and Lukko Rauma are top teams in their leagues. I think it’s gonna be a really tough group and we will do our best to finish first."
Rajala (RAU): "I think the biggest rival will be Lulea, because the SHL is quite a good league and in my opinion they will be the biggest obstacle to our progression to the next stage."
Stöckel (LHC): "Its hard to say who is going to be toughest competitor in the group, but i think Rauma is a really great team, Hamburg is good team as well and we know too little about Nottingham at the moment."
What does competing in the Champions Hockey League mean to your club?
Richer (HAM): "I think it will bring more interest to hockey all over the Europe. In Hamburg we have a very strong fanbase, but I think from year to year it can become a really big tournament."
Rajala (RAU): "For our club the CHL is very important. We're a small town so it's very good advertising for us. We played in the European Champions Cup 30 years ago, but this is absolutely incomparable. We are really looking forward to it."
Stöckel (LHC): "It's exciting for us, something new. New arenas, new teams for our fans, experience of course and also new contacts, which are all great."
French (NOT): "The CHL is huge for the team and for British ice hockey. I think it's something hockey needed in the UK and we're grateful for the opportunity to have a team there."
How far do you expect your team to advance in the competition?
Richer (HAM): "We want to give a great product to all the fans and make them interested in it. The goal should be to attract as many fans as possible."
Rajala (RAU): "We expect very good games and we are really curious to compare our Finnish style with the team from Great Britain. We want to find out the quality of the league which Nottingham plays in."
Stöckel (LUL): "We always compete. We are always going for the win."
French (NOT): "The Panthers are very optimistic. They want to upset some teams and I think we're in for a good tournament."
Click here to compare basic information about these four clubs.
Previous groups:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Group I
Group J