At yesterday's CHL Playoff Draw, the remaining 32 teams found out their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. Read some of the reaction below.
CHL News
Yesterday's CHL Playoff Draw pitted the 32 qualifying teams against each other for two-leg, home-and-away series which will take place on 4 and 11 October.
After the Draw, general managers, coaches, and players had their say on many of the match-ups. Below we have reactions to 11 of the 16 match-ups. Check back later as more are added.
HC Lugano vs. HC Pilsen
"Lugano is a tough opponent. I used to play in Switzerland and they were always among the best clubs in the country. It's deinitely not going to be easy," said Tomas Vlasak, Sports Director of Pilsen.
Lugano head coach Doug Shedden said, "I remember the arena in Pilsen when I was coach of the Finnish national team and we played in a tournament against Russia, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Today I will study with my staff the roster of Pilsen. We will be ready.”
IFK Helsinki vs. TPS Turku
"We've got a tough opponent but so does everyone else too in this stage. The good thing with a Finnish team is that the trip isn't long, so you can depart at the same day and play," said IFK head coach Antti Tormanen. "Of course, this is a new season and a new team and we haven't played against TPS before this, so in a way this is the first game of the season against them. Of course we want to win the CHL, but we must focus only on the next opponent."
Frolunda Gothenburg vs. Yunost Minsk
”It should be interesting. We have never played in Belarus before and know very little of the team. It will be a fun experience,” commented Frolunda assistant coach Par Johansson.
Farjestad Karlstad vs Bili Tygri Liberec
Leif Carlsson, head coach of Farjestad, explained how he feels about drawing the Extraliga champions. "It's an exciting draw. To be matched up with the Czech champions is going to be a hard nut for us to crack. We will do our best to advance from this stage, as we want to go as far as possible in the CHL," he affirmed.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said Liberec defenceman Martin Sevc. "I spent three nice years in Farjestad. I expect an offensive style of hockey, which is typical of all top-level Swedish teams. They also have a nice arena and huge number of fans."
Karpat Oulu vs Sparta Prague
"We got a tough opponent, a high-class team both in the Czech Republic and in Europe, Sparta Prague. Last season we had an amazing series against them, and I believe that Sparta will interest people in Oulu," commented Karpat GM Juha Junno. "Every team wants to do well in the CHL. This is no exhibition league, every team wants to make it to the Final and last season it was close for us. Now we're trying of course to go as far as possible. These tough games are the best thing. These develop the team. We take these well and our team likes these. It doesn't matter that the CHL runs at the same time with Liiga. It brings good variation."
ZSC Lions Zurich vs. Grizzlys Wolfsburg
Edgar Salis, Zurich GM, said of his team's draw: "With Grizzlys Wolfsburg, we got a top team from the DEL as an opponent. They were in the DEL Finals last year and had a tough group with the CHL titleholders from 2016, the Frolunda Indians, and Dynamo Pardubice. So we expect two very tough games."
"We are looking forward to the game against one of the best teams in Switzerland. Zürich is well organized and has many skills," commented Grizzlys head coach Pavel Gross. "It is going to be another huge competition for us."
Djurgarden Stockholm vs. KalPa Kuopio
Kappa GM Toni Saksman was thrilld that his team has made it this far, saying, "It’s fantastic that we got into Round of 32 and Djurgarden is our opponent. It’s going to be a rematch between Finland and Sweden, so it’s going to be important for us. We are happy to travel to Stockholm, as it’s quite convenient and a short trip also for the team, considering all the other (Liiga) games on our schedule around that time."
EV Zug vs. Eisbaren Berlin
Eisbaren defenceman Micki DuPont played for his team's Swiss opponents for two years. "It should be an exciting match-up against EV Zug. They are a skilled, good-skating team. They also have a good core group of players that have been together for some time," he recalls. "Zug is a very pretty city, they've got a nice arena and it's close to Zurich, so our travel should be okay. I am looking forward to going back there for a game – it's a special place for me."
SC Bern vs. Red Bull Salzburg
"Red Bull Salzburg is without a doubt the best team in the EBEL. They have been in the Finals three times in a row an won the championship twice. Besides that, Salzburg does a very good job for young players with a professionally organized academy," said Bern GM Alex Chatelain. "For us, it’s the first time we're playing in the CHL playoffs and Salzburg will be a big challenge for us."
Vaxjo Lakers vs. Red Bull Munich
"They're an exciting opponent. Munich has emerged as a team to be reckoned with in the German DEL after Red Bull's entry as owners," commented Vaxjo GM Henrik Evertsson. "The Red Bull organization has shown that they don't hold back resources and that pattern is followed in Munich with an experienced and talented line-up."
HV71 Jonkoping vs. Lukko Rauma
"We've played against a Swedish team in the playoffs two times now. Last year we beat Djurgarden and the year before that we lost to Lulea, so we have experience with Swedish teams and we have played well against them," said Lukko GM Timo Rajala. "Our goal is to improve from last year. In the first year we were in the top eight and last year we finished in the top four. Now we want to get to the Final."