- Both ZSC Lions Zurich and IFK Helsinki make their sixth CHL appearance
- Both teams have made it as far as the CHL Quarter-Finals but never further
- The two sides have similarly recruited top talent from North American leagues
ZSC Lions Zurich and IFK Helsinki are two well-known hockey clubs, both synonymous with participating in the Champions Hockey League.
The Swiss side qualified for the cancelled 2020/21 season of the CHL, and secured their place in this year's competition with a fifth-place finish in the Swiss NL last season. In their past campaigns, they have made it as far as the Quarter-Finals but have had no luck progressing further. In their most recent CHL appearance in 2018/19, they only made it as far as the Round of 16.
Under Head Coach Rikard Grönborg, the Lions were spectacular in 2019/20, and although their following season was not as dominant, they continue to strive to be one of Switzerland's top teams.
ZSC have made several important player acquisitions including NHL veteran Yannick Weber who will bring 13 NHL seasons of depth and experience. Weber is joined by 25-year-old Canadian forward John Quenneville, as well as former KHLer Justin Azevedo.
IFK Helsinki have big hopes for this season according to general manager Tobias Salmelainen, who recently said bluntly, "we want to win the title." Coming off the back of a strong 2020/21 season where they finished second in the table, this may well be their year.
In recent years, IFK were not able to make it past the Group Stage. Their most successful push was during their 2014/15 season, where they made it all the way to the Quarter-Finals. Unfortunately they were ousted by Frölunda Gothenburg, who they will meet again in Group B. An opportunity for payback? Time will tell.
The Finnish side have wasted no time recruiting top talent over recent years, including the likes of 27-year-old defenceman Jordan Schmaltz and 28-year-old forward Alexander Broadhurst. The latter has already demonstrated his value with a tally of 35 points in 45 games in his first Liiga campaign last season, while this will be Schmaltz's first taste of top European hockey.
Both players have amassed considerable experience in top North American leagues before joining IFK and will no doubt be key assets as the Finnish club works towards successfully navigating the Group Stage.