Who better to properly test newcomers HC Ambrì-Piotta than last season’s finalists Red Bull Munich. The five-time CHL participant enjoyed a rollercoaster ride last season and surprised many by reaching the finals of the competition. Despite losing to the Frölunda Indians, the whole season was a huge success for both the club and German hockey in general – before Munich’s run to the finals, no German club had ever advanced past the Round of 16. Munich still have that bitter taste of narrowly missing out on the cup and promised to return even stronger this year, starting from day 1.

Fifth-placed Swiss National League side HC Ambrì-Piotta secured their first ever CHL qualification spot last season. Despite losing star player Dominik Kubalík to the Chicago Blackhawks, Ambrì-Piotta want to show they are no pushover side and will certainly be in it to win it. They aren’t as strong on the road as they are in their Swiss mountain valley home the Valascia, but the extra motivation of playing their first ever CHL game could possibly give them the edge over Munich.