Group I includes two teams that were unable to escape the group stage in Adler Mannheim and Vitkovice Ostrava, and one team that qualified for the CHL by winning the Continental Cup. Together they will battle for two available spots in the Round of 32.

Staff Writers

The most curious team in Group I is Neman Grodno, who mark the CHL's first step into Eastern Europe. They are anxious to prove the quality of their team and their league against German champions Adler Mannheim and perennial Czech contender Vitkovice Ostrava. 

What does the Champions Hockey League mean to your club?

Teal Fowler (general manager, Adler Mannheim): “We’re extremely excited to be part of this event. This tournament brings the best teams in Europe together and it’s an absolute honour to be a part of it. It’s different than playing against teams in the DEL – this brings another flavour. There are different styles in Sweden, Finland or the Czech Republic, and that’s something interesting for our fans.”

Petr Husicka (general manager, Vítkovice Ostrava): “We really believe in this competition, and the fact that we are one of the founding members testifies to that. We think that after a long time the Champions Hockey League contests that could have a perspective. Great weight to give clubs themselves to participate in this competition.”

Anatoli Varivonchik (president & chairman, Neman Grodno): “This is a historical moment for our club. It’s very prestigious to participate in such a big tournament. We’ve made this step for the first time and we’re the first Belarusian club to make it.”

What do you think of the other teams in your group?

Fowler (Mannheim): “When you look at the Czech Republic and Belarus, these countries have good hockey and good players, so it gives us a good variety of opponents and styles of hockey, both inside Germany and around Europe.”

Husicka (Vitkovice): “We are certainly satisfied with Mannheim. They are the German champions and some of our fans will travel there with us. Grodno is maybe not as easy to get to, but it’s interesting. We’ll see what happens.” 

Vavrionchik (Grodno): “They are interesting in that they include different styles of play, teams and methods of communicating. That is what allows hockey to move forward, and we hope that competing against them helps our team move forward as well.”

What are your team's goals in the CHL?

Fowler (Mannheim): “We learned from last year what it takes to advance. Our focus is on the CHL. We want to compete, we want to represent Germany and we want to go as far as we can.”

Husicka (Vitkovice): “Once the competition starts, we will try to win. At least the group. We want to play better than last year.”

Varivonchik (Grodno): “We play to the maximum every game to win, and so that’s what we’ll do and we’ll see if it’s enough to get us to the next stage.”