Founded in 1996, the Lahti Pelicans have graced the Champions Hockey League just once, during the 2019/20 season, and after a fourth-placed regular season finish in Liiga last season, they’ve drawn tough opponents in Swedish heavyweights, and current SHL champions the Växjö Lakers. 

“The reigning Swedish champions have an excellent team with good players that play a fast and versatile game,” commented Lahti's Head Coach Tommi Niemalä, going on to say, “our players have a great opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international level, with the main goal in every game being to win.”

Bolstering the firepower of the Pelicans are the recent acquisitions of legend Ryan Lasch, the CHL’s all-time Top Scorer with 131 points, as well as Czech blueliner Michal Jordán, who brings with him nearly 80 games in the NHL, but will it be enough? 

Växjö have compiled an equally impressive roster with Joel Persson, considered to be one of the best defenceman in the SHL, as well as Finnish netminder Emil Larmi, who picked up the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy after a stunning playoff run which saw him collect his first Swedish championship. New additions for the 2023/24 season include forwards Noah Östlund, Marcus Sylvegård, and blueliner Eric Martinsson. Notably, Östlund was drafted #16 by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1st round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. 

Despite their recent successes, and six CHL appearances under their belt, Växjö Head Coach Jörgen Jönsson isn’t underestimating the team from Lahti: “The Pelicans have a team with several famous names from the SHL and a number of Swedish players. I expect good structure and hard work from them.”