The ICE Hockey League champions, Red Bull Salzburg, are entering their ninth season of the CHL. Despite dominating the ICE last season, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels, as their first opponent is one of the toughest in Europe - Skellefteå AIK.

Last season, Salzburg finished 20th in the Champions Hockey League Regular Season, securing a sole victory out of their six Autumn games. One of their losses came against Swedes Skellefteå, who defeated them confidently 4-0. With last year’s CHL disappointment still fresh, they are determined to achieve better results this year. To increase their chances, the Austrians have added three new players to the roster: forwards Andrew Rowe and Nikolaus Kraus, and defenceman Nash Nienhuis.

Skellefteå AIK are entering the season with a clear and confident goal: to win the competition. This confidence is well-founded, as they won the Swedish championship and were the CHL Runners-up last season. This year, they are aiming for ultimate glory. Like Salzburg, they have also strengthened their squad with three new additions: defenceman Pontus Johansson and forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Marcus Eriksson.

With the opening face-off set, this is a game you won’t want to miss. Keep an eye on SHL Forward of the Year Oscar Lindberg, and Skellefteå’s standout defenceman Jonathan Pudas. Also, watch out for one of the familiar faces of Red Bull Salzburg, captain and long-serving player Thomas Raffl.