Ahead of the start of the upcoming Champions Hockey League season, we asked the Head Coaches of Lausanne HC's six Regular Season opponents what their thoughts are on the Swiss team - here's what they had to say!
Lukko Rauma Head Coach Tomi Lämsä: “One of the top teams in the Swiss National League and all of Europe. They were finalists in their league this season. The team also includes some Finnish players, which always adds extra interest.”
Frölunda Gothenburg Head Coach Robert Ohlsson: “A well-organised top-level Swiss team with a high profile. Their powerplay is very good. Austin Czarnick and Antti Suomela are high-end players that really make a difference.”
Belfast Giants Head Coach Adam Keefe: “Lausanne are a skilled and fast team with a lot of offensive firepower. They play with confidence at home and have strong goaltending to back it up.”
ERC Ingolstadt Head Coach Mark French: “Lausanne are back-to-back finalists and have a very skilled roster from top to bottom. We have to bring our A-game. To play two tough road games in Switzerland should help our team get used to top-level hockey and high intensity for when our domestic league starts the following week.”
Grenoble Head Coach Per Hånberg: “Last year, Lausanne won the National League regular season and went all the way to the playoff final. They have been doing really well these last two seasons. They don’t rely on just one or two players to score the points. Finnish player Antti Soumela was the top scorer last year in the regular season. This season they have Bern’s top scorer, Austin Czarnik, which will give them some more quality offensively. All in all, they are a team with a lot of experience.”
Mountfield HK Head Coach Tomáš Martinec: “A star-studded Swiss team, National League runners-up and also one of the favorites to win the CHL this year. Lausanne have a roster full of national team players and veterans with long NHL careers. It will also be special to face Ahti Oksanen again, who once played for us in Hradec Králové.“