Newcomers HC Innsbruck have the task of taking on Swiss side Genève-Servette in their first-ever CHL match-up.

Innsbruck successfully qualified after achieving a third-place finish in the ICE and are looking forward to bringing their brand of hockey to a wider audience. In their domestic league, the Austrians made a run to the quarter-finals and sported a 30-15 record along with one OT win and two OT losses.

Their star players in Kevin Roy and Braeden Shaw helped cement their status as top competitors in the league. Shaw was last season’s ICE MVP as well as the top scorer. He also posted three points in six playoff games.

Genève haven’t participated in the CHL since the 2015/16 campaign. Up front, the National League champions will have two of their top three scorers from last season in former NHLers Valtteri Filppula and Daniel Winnik. Filppula posted 51 points (17G, 34A) in 46 games while Winnik mustered 46 points (18G, 28A) in 47 games.

Both were instrumental in the playoffs helping Genève to their first national championship – Winnik contributed four goals and six assists for ten points in 18 games; Filpulla amassed one goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 18 games.

Despite the Swiss side's previous CHL experience, both clubs enter this Game Day 1 fixture on a level playing field. To this end, neither Head Coach is oblivious to the challenges their opponents will bring. Mitch O'Keefe of HC Innsbruck knows what they’re up against: “The top team last season in the National League and a lot of players are staying on.”

His counterpart, Jan Cadieux, is well aware of his club’s match-up, as well, saying, “We’re expecting a hard-fought game in front of their home crowd.”