Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of the Sheffield Steelers' six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the EIHL team - here's what they had to say!
Fribourg-Gottéron Head Coach Patrick Emond: “Sheffield are champions of the Elite League. They’re a club with qualities. This will be our first opponent at home so it will be important for us to start with a victory.”
Växjö Lakers Head Coach Jörgen Jönsson: “Champions of the EIHL last season and a new experience for me. I’m looking forward to playing against them.”
Sparta Prague Head Coach Pavel Gross: “Hockey in the UK is on the rise, with many players with interesting history from overseas and European competitions playing for Sheffield. The Steelers play in a beautiful arena, we are looking forward to a new experience. I’m expecting a lot of tough and hard-hitting hockey.”
Skellefteå AIK Head Coach Robert Ohlsson: “It will be extremely fun to meet the Steelers with their colourful fans! The team are physically strong and will be a tough opponent in their home arena.”
ZSC Lions Zurich General Manager Sven Leuenberger: “A team with a North American style of play, very straightforward. I’m curious to see how they perform.”
Dynamo Pardubice Head Coach Marek Zadina: “A trip to the UK for a second year in a row! Sheffield are also a bit of an unknown opponent for us, but they have some experienced players from overseas in their squad and will certainly be very dangerous. I expect a game similar to the one with the German teams, which also have several foreign players in their squad.”