Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of Adler Mannheim's six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the German team - here's what they had to say!
HC Bolzano Head Coach Niklas Sundblad: “They have changed their entire coaching staff and remain one of the top teams in the DEL. Mannheim play very physical hockey and have a very good line-up from goal, to defense, to offense. It will be a challenge to play them at home.”
Red Bull Salzburg Head Coach Oliver David: “Mannheim is one of the DEL’s elite clubs every season. This off-season, their roster was overhauled, they brought in a new Head Coach... They are an unknown in this way, but underesti- mating them because of ‘unknowns’ would be costly.”
Rouen Dragons Head Coach Fabrice Lhenry: “Manheim have been a reference team in the DEL for many years now. Half of the team has been changed but the recruitment has been of high quality. A very good challenge for Rouen to confront Manheim in their building.”
Tappara Tampere Head Coach Rikard Grönborg: “Powerhouse team in German hockey. Long strings of success. I coached against their coach last year. Top teams in the DEL are aiming towards success in the CHL and looking to go all the way – the German national team has showed that lately in the World Champion- ship and Olympic Games.”
Lukko Rauma Head Coach Tomi Lämsä: “Adler Mannheim are already a familiar club for us and our fans. They are an elite club in European standards. One of the top teams in Germany season to season. The team is filled with experienced professionals who aren’t shy of physical play.”
HC Košice Head Coach Dan Ceman: “Mannheim are perennially a top team in the DEL and will be a huge challenge. They’ve changed their entire coaching staff so I don’t quite know what their playing style will be. I have no question they will be a big, strong team with a good balance of skill and physicality. We’ll need to play extremely solidly in our own zone as they will be strong on the boards and in front of the net. Again, our team’s defence will be a focal point. We must play them hard and not allow them any easy chances.”
Find out more about Adler Mannheim in the video below!