It is almost time for the return of the Champions Hockey League, with 32 teams from across Europe competing to be crowned kings of the continent. After scooping the regular-season title last term, the Belfast Giants will represent the Elite League in the 2022-23 CHL, with Adam Keefe’s squad returning to the tournament for the first time in three years.
Related: Belfast Giants 2022-23 Roster: Signings, Quotes & More
Drawn into Group H alongside Oceláři Třinec, Skellefteå AIK, and HC Davos, the Giants face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout phase, but that does not mean they face an impossible task.
Belfast retained many of their key players during the offseason, with Scott Conway, David Goodwin, and Mark Cooper headlining Keefe’s cast of returnees. The SSE Arena franchise also made plenty of quality additions to their roster, including standout netminder Peyton Jones and prolific forward Darik Angeli.
David Goodwin, Belfast Giants celebrates winning the 2021-22 Elite League title (Image: Dean Woolley)
However, the Giants lost a couple of key players too. J.J. Piccinich swapped Northern Ireland for Norway, while Tyler Beskorowany retired from the sport.
That said, Keefe’s team went unbeaten through four preseason fixtures, besting the Dundee Stars (5-3, 9-4) and Cardiff Devils (5-1, 3-1) in exhibition matches played at home and on the road.
Belfast have a mountain to climb in the CHL, but they are as ready as they will ever be. With two days until puck drop in Group H, here are the key details you need to know about the Giants’ European opponents.
Oceláři Třinec, Czech Extraliga
Třinec are a powerhouse of ice hockey in Czechia.
The Steelworkers have won back-to-back domestic titles and are set to embark upon their ninth campaign in the CHL.
Founded in 1929, they are coached by former Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators power forward Václav Varaďa but have failed to advance from the group stage for each of the past three seasons.
Martin Marinčin is a player to watch on Třinec’s blueline. The former Toronto Maple Leaf made 227 NHL appearances before returning to Europe and finished last season with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 42 Extraliga games.
Libor Hudáček is also worth keeping an eye on. The 31-year-old forward played a crucial role in Slovakia’s bronze-medal performance at Beijing 2022 and is set to reprise a similar level of importance in the CHL.
Skellefteå AIK, Swedish Hockey League
Despite finishing third in the regular-season, Skellefteå were dumped out of the SHL playoffs in the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, they approach their sixth spin in the CHL as one of five Swedish clubs participating in the competition.
Based in the northern province of Västerbotten, the five-time champions of Sweden are frequent fliers in the knockout rounds but have failed to advance beyond the round of sixteen in each of the last two seasons.
Oscar Möller, the team’s captain, is a stud. He is a threat on the powerplay, effective on the penalty kill, and boasts 87 games of NHL experience. The 33-year-old registered 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 49 SHL appearances last season.
Oscar Möller, Skellefteå AIK (Image: SHL)
Elias Salomnsson is at the other end of his career. The 18-year-old was the Winnipeg Jets’ second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and is in the frame to make his continental debut this term.
HC Davos, Swiss National League
Davos, hosts of the Spengler Cup, finished fifth in the National League last season, punching their ticket to the CHL in the process.
The Swiss outfit’s latest continental affair is their fourth appearance in the tournament, a record that includes a run to the semi-finals in 2015-16.
Simon Knak is a player to watch for Davos. The 20-year-old winger starred for Team Switzerland at the latest World Junior Championship and recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 42 top-flight appearances last season.
Simon Knak, formerly of the Portland Winterhawks (Image: WHL)
The 31-time champions of Switzerland can also call upon star forward Joakim Nordström. The powerful Swede scored 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 27 Kontinental Hockey League appearances last term and is set to play a top-six role for Davos.
Belfast Giants: 2022-23 Champions Hockey League Fixtures
Friday 2 September, 14:00 @ Oceláři Třinec
Sunday 4 September, 15:30 versus HC Davos
Friday 9 September, 18:45 @ HC Davos
Sunday 11 September, 16:00 versus Oceláři Třinec
Tuesday 4 October, 19:00 versus Skellefteå AIK
Tuesday 11 October, 18:05 @ Skellefteå AIK
