Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of Skellefteå AIK's six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the Swedish team - here's what they had to say!
Red Bull Salzburg Head Coach Oliver David: “In a traditional sense, to travel to Skellefteå to play a hockey game... so cool. The level of the SHL is incredibly high, and these guys came just short of a championship. It goes without saying, we will need to be on our toes for this game.”
Dynamo Pardubice Head Coach Václav Varaďa: “A traditional Swedish team with history and a great development program. We expect great puck control from them, good individual player skills and on-point game tactics.”
Rouen Dragons Head Coach Fabrice Lhenry: “Skellefteå are a team that play at the top of the SHL every season and reached the playoff finals last season. They are also used to playing the Champions Hockey League. It will be a big challenge and a great opportunity for us to face them on their ice.”
Tappara Tampere Head Coach Rikard Grönborg: “Had the pleasure to play against them last year in the CHL. Very good powerplay, aggressive team all over the ice, with and without the puck. Very well coached by Head Coach Robert Ohlsson and his coaching staff. Must be one of the favourites to win the competition.”
HC Košice Head Coach Dan Ceman: “Skellefteå are a team that for years have given no time on the puck at all. Like most high-end SHL teams, the ability of their defence to make plays under pressure while joining the rush extremely effectively is a huge challenge for us. We’ll have to play a very simple game and limit our turnovers. It’s safe to say they will have more of the puck than us so we must have numbers back and not allow them any easy chances. Offensively, we’ll need to be very effective on our chances.”
HC Innsbruck Head Coach Mitch O’Keefe: “A very strong club with great history in a very prestigious league. We will need to have a good start at home and play with tenacity for 60 minutes. If we can slow them down in the neutral zone and play very well in our zone we have a chance for points.”
Find out more about Skellefteå AIK in the video below!