The three teams that make up Group E have won 46 total domestic championships – more than any other group – including a combined 11 since 2005. HC Davos are the reigning Swiss champions, while Farjestad Karlstad and HC Pardubice are perennial powers in Sweden and the Czech Republic, respectively.

Staff Writers

The consensus seems to be that Group E is a tough one, with no weak clubs, so all three involved will have to play their best or be in danger of not advancing. At the same time, all three have a reason to be confident about their chances in the overall competition.

What does the CHL mean to you and your club?

Bill B. Mistura (CEO, HC Davos): “It’s great for us that we were able to qualify for this competition.”

Hakan Loob (CEO & general manager, Farjestad Karlstad): “It’s great that clubs can get together and play against each other on an international level. It breeds a lot of professionalism. I think the best teams are playing against each other and there’s going to be a winner in February like there was.”

Milos Riha (head coach, HC Pardubice): “We are glad to play in the Champions Hockey League. It’s very important for us and we want to be successful.”

What do you think of the group you've been drawn into?

Mustura (Davos): “We have two interesting opponents. I think both teams are tough – Pardubice and Farjestad – but, you know, all games are tough so we’ll see what happens.”

Loob (Farjestad): “We ended up in a tough group because Pardubice is a great organization and over the years have shown they’re a good team. Then we’ve got the Swiss champions in Davos who have played really well the past couple of years.”

Riha (Pardubice): “We have a very difficult group. Davos are champions of Switzerland and Farjestad are traditionally a very powerful team in Sweden.”

What are your goals for the CHL this season?

Mistura (Davos): “We will fight and we will win. At the end of the season our target is first place.”

Loob (Farjestad): “It’s a challenge for us, but what is hockey without challenges? We'll have to fight through it to get to the next round.”

Riha (Pardubice): “Of course we want to win. We have strong opponents, but we believe we can be in the top two teams and go to the playoffs.”