Rapperswil-Jona Lakers will get their first taste of pan-European club ice hockey in the Champions Hockey League when they welcome Bavarian giants Red Bull Munich to their stadium on Game Day 1. Munich are favourites heading into this David and Goliath duel, but the CHL has seen plenty of upsets over the years - could the Lakers muster the strength to overcome their German opponents?

After returning to Switzerland’s National League in 2018/19, Rapperswil-Jona have been climbing the ranks of Swiss hockey at a rapid pace. A tenth-place finish in 2020/21 was followed up by a much-improved fourth-place result in 2021/22; and while the club fell short during their playoffs run, losing in the quarter-finals to fellow CHL club HC Davos, the Rapperswil-Jona organisation continues to position itself as a competitor in the NL and now also on the European stage.

Roman Červenka, a household name in Czech hockey and one of the team's most productive and experienced players, will be looked to for guidance and leadership in this all-important first game - keep an eye on him!

A big first night in the CHL for the Swiss will be just another game for eight-time CHL qualifiers Munich. 60 minutes separated the DEL team from another shot at the CHL Final last season, but a tough Tappara team would be their Achilles’ heel as the German side were ousted after a 3-0 Semi-Finals clash.

Their domestic season saw them fare a bit better, but unfortunately, the team from Germany’s third largest city fell short again, this time in the DEL finals. With the memories of that last loss still fresh in the minds of many Munich players, look for them to come out strong in their opening game of the season.