We've asked representatives from the clubs a few questions relating to their club competing in the CHL in 2014/15. We've arranged the answers into 11 articles, one for each group. We begin with Group A, which consists of Kärpät Oulu, Kölner Haie, Bílí Tygři Liberec and HC Košice. The consensus of the four seems to be that Kärpät is the team to beat.
Staff Writers
What do you think of the group you've been drawn into?
Juha Junno (CEO, Kärpät Oulu): "I am very happy that we're a part of a strong group, so we'll have a chance to play some good games. We have a club from Germany -- Köln, which has the biggest arena in Europe -- from the Czech Repubic Liberec and Slovak champion Košice."
Peter Schönberger (owner, Kölner Haie): "We’re very satisfied. We’re playing against two champions. A little problem is that we have to travel a lot, but it’s a good group. Our opponents are from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland, and all of them are good teams. Another advantage is that German people already know these teams."
Ctibor Jech (general manager, Bílí Tygři Liberec): "We're satisfied with the draw. We've got the champions from Finland and Slovakia. Plus, we've never played against Košice before, so it will be interesting to watch. It will also bring back some memories from times when we played with the Slovaks in one league."
Juraj Bakoš (general manager, HC Košice): "I wished for a group with the best teams, to have the opporutnity to see the top European leagues compete against each other. After the draw, I checked out the other groups and I have to say that there is not a single unattractive group there. I am happy that we, as Slovak hockey representatives, are going to compete against Finnish, German and Czech hockey."
Which team in your group do you think is the strongest?
Junno (KÄR): "We expect the group will be very even."
Schönberger (KÖL): "It’s difficult to say, because I don’t follow those leagues every day, so I don’t know how strong these teams are and how they will be next season. But the Finnish team might be the best."
Jech (LIB): "Finland is a strong league and Kärpät is the champion, so they will be difficult, but we've also learned in recent years (in the European Trophy) that German clubs play at a high level."
Bakoš (KOŠ): "I think that the Finnish team Kärpät Oulu is the strongest in our group; however, I am looking forward to all the other games as well."
What does competing in the Champions Hockey League mean to your club?
Junno (KÄR): "To be part of the Champions Hockey League is very important for us. We have played in the Nordic Trophy with Swedish clubs, then we were part of the European Trophy and now we also play in the Champions Hockey League. We are very happy to be part of it."
Schönberger (KÖL): "I think it’s very important to have a systemised European competition. We have to show our strength to the NHL and also the KHL. It’s good that this competition is established and now it has to develop, of course. There might be some problems in the beginning, but our fans in Cologne are very good and they are very happy about the CHL."
Jech (LIB): "It will bring some recognition to our city and our club, and will also bring some great and interesting games to the pre-season. Even though it’s not a cheap event, we’re glad to be there competing against top European clubs."
Bakoš (KOŠ):"This is a perfect opportunity for Košice to face off against the top European teams; in fact, the first one after the split of the federal Czechoslovakian league."
How far do you expect your team to advance in the competition?
Junno (KÄR): "Of course, we are playing in the Finnish league as well and we want to win that again and we also want to win the CHL. We would like to become the best club in Europe."
Schönberger (KÖL): "All of us want to win, of course. Our goal in the national league is to be number one and gain the championship. And our goal for the CHL is not to stop after the first round. I think this might be a realistic goal."
Jech (LIB): "We would like to achieve some success. There is prize money for advancing past the group stage, and that could help us build a budget for this event. That’s an important factor as well. We want to impress Europe!"
Bakoš (KOŠ): "Our priority is to represent Slovakia well and with dignity, but that doesn’t mean to lose with dignity. We want to beat even the strong teams. We’ll see in August what squads our opponents have. It’s too soon to guess our final position. We want to entertain our fans."