Following a one-season hiatus from the Champions Hockey League in 2021/22, Färjestad Karlstad enter Group F as one of the most experienced teams. In their four previous attempts the Swedes have gone as far as to reach the Round of 16, but they haven't traversed further. Most recently, and during their domestic competition, Färjestad toppled last season's CHL victors Rögle Ängelholm, going on to secure the SHL trophy. 

This season, the team from Karlstad fields a mostly Swedish squad, and they've bolstered the last line of defence with the signing of netminder Matt Tomkins from Frölunda Gothenburg. Tomkins had a strong performance managing a 91.57% Save Percentage during his last CHL season.

Visiting side Villach SV were regular season runners-up in the ICE, bowing out during the semi-finals, but their performance was enough to secure a place alongside Europe's premier hockey teams.

The Austrian side last qualified for the 2014/15 CHL season, where they secured two wins, and four losses from six games. This season their roster will contain some familiar names including top forward John Hughes, who was a duo shy from being the team's top point-getter. Hughes is joined by Canadian forward Andrew Desjardins, who spent the last five seasons in the DEL, more impressively four of those seasons included a trip to the playoffs.

Off the back of a sensational 2021/22 domestic campaign Färjestad will be hunting for wins, and should have the confidence and the manpower to achieve good things. Underdogs Villach with nothing to lose, and all the experience to gain will be looking to ruffle the feathers of their opponent, and test themselves against a top contender.