Hailing from France, Ligue Magnus Champions Grenoble are ready to head back to the CHL after a few seasons out. The eight-time French Champions have not only scored the Ligue Magnus title but have also acquired some serious talent, including the impressive Czech goaltender Jakub Stepanek, who holds a 92.7 save percentage. Grenoble have also managed to snag well-established Chad Nehring, who has played over 170 AHL games on top of another 150 in the DEL. 

Fellow national champions Eisbären Berlin have two consecutive DEL titles to their name and are eager to bring that winning streak to their 6th CHL appearance. At the recent press conference in Berlin, Head Coach Serge Aubin spoke on behalf of the Eisbären and had this to say about their goals heading into the CHL: “I want to make sure our complete level is where we want it to be. We intend to compete, and we will be ready.” 

Aubin went on to say that the team intends to take one step after the other and just think from game to game, but that Berlin have their eyes set on qualifying for the Round of 16. When asked about Grenoble, Aubin has shared: “they are the champions of France and in the past, French teams have always surprised us and beat stronger teams. We cannot underestimate them.”

Be sure to tune in to catch these domestic champions battling it out!