Reigning Champions Hockey League Champions Rögle Ängelholm have picked up where they left off last season and enter Game Days 5 & 6 already qualified for the 2022/23 Playoffs. Forward Adam Tambellini, who lifted the European Trophy last season, is excited about how things are going for his club.
“I feel good. We have had a decent start in the SHL and a great start in the CHL. Our group is very good and we are learning a lot from each other along the way,” started Edmontonian Tambellini.
There have been some tough arenas to play inRögle Ängelholm forward Adam Tambellini
Ängelholm, a city just shy of 30,000 citizens, is all about ice hockey and supporting their local club Rögle. Tambellini has really been enjoying his time with the club.
“This is a great place to play. There is great culture here and the whole organisation is amazing. The incredible staff make it possible for us to compete for wins every year.”
Tambellini came to Rögle Ängelholm ahead of the 2020/21 season. He scored 38 points in 51 games in his opening year before scoring a whopping 53 points (including 28 goals) in just 50 games in 2021/22. It’s fair to say that the veteran of nearly 300 AHL games in North America seems to have adjusted to the European style of hockey fairly quickly.
“I think it suits me well,” agreed Tambellini, “adjusting was a bit difficult in the beginning, but I have played with great players in both MODO and here in Rögle. There are a lot of good people here.”
I am very proud to have represented CanadaRögle Ängelholm forward Adam Tambellini
His performances caught the eye of his country and earned him a call-up to represent Team Canada at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
“It was amazing. By far the biggest accomplishment of my career so far. We had such an amazing team. It was an incredible experience, even though we did not get the result we wanted. I am very proud of our effort and that I got to represent Canada.”
Rögle enter Game Days 5 & 6 already qualified for the Playoffs having beaten Polish side GKS Katowice and Hungarian side Fehérvár AV19 both home and away to secure a full 12 points and a 100% win record.
“I liked our performances so far. We have shown a lot of character and come back from behind in a couple of games. There have been some tough arenas to play in. Both of our opponents played hard, and we are glad to have got the results,” said Tambellini.
Now the Swedes will finish off the 2022/23 Group Stage with two games against ZSC Lions Zurich.
“It is important to end on top of the group,” pointed out Tambellini, “we want to get there as a team. Zurich have a great organisation and a great team.”
There are a lot of good teams from different leagues and countriesRögle Ängelholm forward Adam Tambellini
Tambellini, who scored 13 points in 11 CHL games last season, has really enjoyed what the Champions Hockey League is all about: “It is fun! We were fortunate to have won the European Trophy last year. There are a lot of good teams from different leagues and countries.”
As Tambellini is still probably only getting to his prime as a professional ice hockey player, he really wants to just live in the moment.
“I don’t want to look too far into the future and, I don’t want put numbers on years. I take everything year by year and that has carried me throughout my career,” he concluded.
Tune in to Rögle Ängelholm's Game Day 5 clash with ZSC Lions Zurich tomorrow at 18:05 CEST!