For Danish side Aalborg Pirates, the new season will be a collection of firsts - the Pirates' first ever season in the CHL, their first defending the Metal Ligaen title, and the first with new Head Coach Jason Morgan.
Morgan has arrived from Dunaújváros in Hungary, where he took over in October with the team struggling. He guided the team to a top three finish in the Erste Liga before a playoff exit to Transylvanian side Csíkszereda - but will now coach his next competitive game against the ZSC Lions in the Hallenstadion. "It's been a crazy transition from Hungary to Denmark!" began the 41-year-old. "I was fortunate to get the job with Aalborg who have had a lot of success in the last two seasons, winning the double last year, and I'm hoping for a smooth transition. Being behind the bench against a team of such high calibre like the ZSC Lions will be a huge challenge for me and the hockey club."
"I spoke to Brandon Reid (Aalborg's former Head Coach, who moved to Krefeld this summer) a lot previously in and I think so far as strategy and philosophy goes we'll be on the same wavelength," explained Morgan on why he took the job. "Coming off the back of a successful season means it's a great challenge for me. I was fortunate enough to win a championship in Miskolc, and it's why you play the game - setting out your goal to win, having that pressure and accountability to constantly work hard and challenge yourselves is why we're in hockey."
"Denmark was also not just a great situation for me personally, but also my family which was another deciding factor. Aalborg is one of the bigger cities in Denmark, everyone is fluent in English, so it offers great opportunities for them as well.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Morgan will not be the only new Head Coach in Group A - Serge Aubin and Dave Cameron will take charge of ZSC and Vienna respectively for the first time in the CHL. "We're all in the same boat really, so we'll all be trying to get to know our teams as quickly as possible," said the former forward, who also played 44 games in the NHL. "I spent some time in the EBEL and SHL as a player so I'm a bit more familiar with those leagues, but I think also having that first game in Zurich will be so exciting. We have a few guys on the team who have played in the CHL before so I might be relying on them for a bit of leadership with our younger guys!
"For sure it's also a great opportunity to do some team building and bonding early in the season. Before we go to Zurich we're playing in Fife and Manchester, and it gives us a chance to galvanise our team earlier."Jason Morgan, Pirates' Head Coach
Having coached in places like Miskolc and Dunaújváros, and now Aalborg, where success is part of the job, how is it to enter a tournament you're not expected to win? "For me it's not about the end result, that takes care of itself, but it's about the process of challenging and improving every day. These games coming so early in the season are a great challenge and to see how fast we're grasping my coaching philosophy and gelling as a team," explained the St. John's native. "Mentally as well it's a great test for all of us, that you don't let games affect you. You have to be careful not to get too down."
"One thing that Aalborg does is learn how to improve ourselves."Morgan on the Aalborg orgnaisation
And what does it mean to the team off the ice? "In the last three years this organisation has hired a new CEO and he's done wonders with the whole structure in management and business side. He travels to the US to visit other sports organisations to see how we can make this one better. You can always learn from other teams and leagues, and one thing that Aalborg does is learn how to improve ourselves."
Lastly, what about giving the fans their first taste of European club hockey? "I think it's important for our fan base to come out and support us in these games. The more fans we have in the building the more hungry and energised the players are to have success," added Morgan. "It's exciting for them too to see the team competing in the CHL for the first time, and seeing these other teams - not just to support us, but to see the calibre and quality of clubs that many of our young Danish players have ambitions to go and play for. They're not only supporting the players for this season, but also in their future progression."