Adler Mannheim Head Coach Dallas Eakins: “It’s exciting to see a club reach new heights and make their Champions Hockey League debut. Winning a national championship is never easy and Bordeaux have earned their place among Europe’s elite. We expect an outstanding atmosphere and a very difficult game.”

HC Pilsen Head Coach Josef Jandač: “French teams are usually very hard-working and difficult to play against. We cannot focus on the reputation of the league they come from; we have to focus on their performances on the ice. Every opponent in the CHL has quality.”

Dynamo Pardubice Head Coach Filip Pešán: “The French league and the club itself are on the rise. Bordeaux were crowned champions, which guarantees that we will face a tough and unpredictable opponent.”

KAC Klagenfurt Head Coach Kirk Furey: “They won their first French championship this spring and will play in the CHL for the first time ever, therefore, we expect a team in euphoria and good spirits.They had a strong playoff run earlier this year, so it’s obvious that they know how to be successful in big games.”

Graz99ers Sport Director Philipp Pinter: “A big unknown for us. I know their head coach, Olivier Dimet, from the national youth team. We’ll just have to wait and see! Graz doesn’t get to see French teams all that often.”

Frölunda Gothenburg Head Coach Robert Ohlsson: “We don’t know that much about them, but since they are in the CHL, they must be good.”