ZSC Lions Zurich open their Champions Hockey League title defence at home against Pinguins Bremerhaven. Zurich enjoyed a remarkable 2024/25 season, capturing both the European Club Champions title and the Swiss championship.

Under the lead of Head Coach Marco Bayer, the Lions return for their ninth CHL campaign with ambitions of lifting the European Trophy for a second consecutive year. With a core of home-grown talent including captain Patrick Geering, Denis Malgin and Sven Andrighetto, plus the dependable goaltending of Šimon Hrubec, Zurich remain one of Europe’s toughest teams to beat.

Bremerhaven, meanwhile, are back in the competition for the third time, having reached the Quarter-Finals last season. The North German club has built a reputation as one of DEL’s most competitive sides, and under Head Coach Alexander Sulzer, they will once again aim to punch above their weight on the European stage.

The Germans will look to the leadership of Slovenian forward Jan Urbas, a driving force for years, while goaltender Kristers Gudļevskis provides stability between the pipes. The arrival of experienced winger Nico Krämmer from Red Bull Munich adds both quality and experience to the roster.

This match-up promises an interesting duel between the title holders from Switzerland and one of Germany’s most resilient clubs. Zurich will look to showcase the quality that carried them to last year’s title, while Bremerhaven enter with the belief that they can upset Europe’s giants like they have in the past. With both teams eager to make a statement, this opener has all the ingredients of an exciting and hard-fought contest.