Our preview of the 16 groups that will take part in the 2015–16 edition of the Champions Hockey League begins with Group 1, which features three teams that were all in last year's competition, including two quarter-finalists. Over the next couple of days, you can also expect to see more detailed introductions of all three teams here at ChampionsHockeyLeague.net.

Writing Staff

We asked representatives from the three teams in Group 1 – SC Bern, Linkoping HC and IFK Helsinki – a few questions about their teams' participation in the Champions Hockey League. 

All three teams played in the CHL last year. How do you evaluate your team's performance and what are your ambitions for this year?

Sven Leuenberger (general manager, SC Bern): “We had a really tight group because all of our opponents went to their league finals except us, and that’s maybe why they beat us. But we were building the team and we had a lot of new players so early. That was a little bit of a handicap for us but we’ll try to do better this year.”

Fredrik Emvall (general manager, Linkoping HC): “It was a fun tournament and I think we played pretty good, but of course we want to win and we should try to do that this year.”

Roland Carlsson (marketing manager, IFK Helsinki): “Our ambitions? We want to go on from group, we want to be among the final eight teams just as we were last year. And then? It depends.”

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

Leuenberger (Bern): “I think we’ve got a really tough group right now with the Swedish and Finnish teams, but for us it’s really important that we can learn from these games.”

Emvall (Linkoping): “It’s going to be a lot of fun to play against Bern, a Swiss team, and of course we play a lot against Finnish teams but it’s fun to play teams not playing in Sweden. We’re really happy with the teams we’ve got in our group.”

Carlsson (IFK Helsinki): “We have a very, very tough group. One of the best from Switzerland and a top team from Sweden. It won’t be easy for us at all. On the other hand, I am satisfied with the the draw – they are great teams, interesting for our fans. We have played with Linkoping several times, and the history of the games is quite varied. I think the players will be satisfied with the draw and the great games to come. We are looking forward to the trips to beautiful countries and I hope our fans will go with us.”

What does the Champions Hockey League mean to your team and your fans?

Leuenberger (Bern): “I think we are ready to play the games and I think they will be exciting, especially when we play at our place where we’ll have a lot of spectators – I hope we can win those games.”

Emvall (Linkoping): “I think it’s going to be really good. We’ve just got to work hard and make a good tournament of it, and see in a couple of years. I think it’s going to be a really, really good tournament.”

Carlsson (IFK Helsinki): “I believe this competition is about quality. We would like to expand to all across Europe, with good hockey. The CHL is great opportunity to do this. A lot of nations, countries, fans, languages – that would be the best thing for hockey.”